FilOil: Late free throws lift Altas to first win

Mapua Institute of Technology guard Andretti Stevens gave University of Perpetual Help Alta Jett Vidal fits on both ends of the floor, taunting him after defensive stops, and giving him a mouthful after connecting on a three in Vidal's face. Despite all that though, Vidal refused to react all throughout the game. In the end, it was this cool and collected play that lifted Vidal's Altas over the slumping Cardinals. Vidal scored 16 points, including two late free throws that sealed Perpetual Help's first win in the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Tournament, a 63-59 affair, Saturday at The FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Cardinals led as much as seven before halftime, after a three by streaking forward Gab Banal, but the lead was trimmed to three after Vidal and UPHSD forward Justine Alano chipped away at their deficit with two consecutive field goals. The Altas then stole the lead in the third period, to also lead by three, 45-42. In response, a lay-in by MIT forward-center Jessie Saitanan flattened the game at 51 apiece, only to have a jumper by Altas center Femi Babayemi steal the momentum back, silencing the MIT bench. Mapua failed to convert anything down the stretch as a cold streak hit their players hard. Last season's NCAA Rookie of the YEar Josan Nimes went 0/4 from the line in those last three minutes, and missed a three-pointer as well. Starting center Mike Parala, cancelled out by Babayemi all throughout the game, airballed a three-pointer, while Vidal hit his own, upping the Altas’ lead to six points, 57-51. After a split by Vidal and a three by Harold Arboleda, Nimes and MIT guard Jonathan Banal finally connected, as they hit consecutive threes to inch them closer, 61-57. The pressure that the Cardinals faced was on full display, as they missed three straight attempts within 15 feet of the rim. Once the Altas gained possession, Vidal found himself fouled and sank the free throws that iced the game at 63-59. Babayemi set the dynamic early for the Cardinals. Two early blocks by the athletic Nigerian discouraged further Mapua incursions into the lane, forcing the Cardinals to rely on fast break points and outside shots. Banal, Nimes, and Parala, who brought height to the Mapua line-up, attempted a collective 16 threes while making only five of them. Vidal led all Altas with 16 points, to go along six rebounds and three steals. Babayemi followed with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. On the other side of the floor, former DLSU Green Archer Gab Banal was the only Cardinal to reach double figures with 21 points while grabbing 11 boards. Perpetual Help's first win allowed them to tie their foe in the standings, as now both teams possess 1-5 records in Group A. - AMD, GMA News The scores: UPHSD 63 – Vidal 16, Babayemi 13, Arboleda 10, Alano 17, Paulino 8, Baloria 3, Canuza 2, Parico 1, Elorpe 0, Thompson 0, Jolangcob 0, Asuncion 0, Cenita 0 MIT 59 – G. Banal 21, Saitanan 8, J. Banal 7, Parala 6, Nimes 6, Brana 4, Stevens 3, Estrella 3, Eriobu 1, Chien 0, Ighalo 0 Quarter scoring: 9-10, 26-29, 45-42, 63-59 FilOil 051912 UPHSD vs MIT