After another close affair, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers failed to deliver in the end game once more.
In his return, Bright Akhuetie lifted the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas to its first win, 58-50, against the Heavy Bombers Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Akhuetie made instant impact in his return in putting up 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
“I had a sprain from practice,” Akhuetie shared. “I tried this [knee support] and it worked. I’m just like 40 percent right now.”
The Altas were up by as high as 16 points in the second frame but Tey Teodoro willed his team back. Teodoro scored 10 of his 11 first half points in the second frame as JRU was able to cut the lead to just six, 31-25, entering the second half.
“Madaming injury na pinagdadaanan ang team namin,” Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican shared as four of its rotation players were out. “Talagang finoforce talaga namin si Bright makabalik dahil maliliit kami.”
After slowly chipping into the lead, the Heavy Bombers were able to tie the game at 37-all after a Gio Lasquety find to Ervin Grospe. However, Gerald Dizon was able find Prince Eze inside and GJ Ilagan on back-to-back possessions to gain leverage.
In the final frame, the Vergel Meneses-mentored squad was able to cut the lead to a solitary point after Teodoro knocked down his fifth triple of the game with 6:51 remaining. Turnovers though helped the Altas maintain a two possession lead afterwards. Moreover, Akhuetie was unstoppable in scoring all six points in a 6-2 rally to help give Perpetual a 57-50 lead with 1:32 remaining.
A blown layup by Ervin Grospe and a split on the stripe by Ilagan sealed the game for the Altas.
“At least nabasag na yung itlog. Kelangan kasi makabuwelo para sa mga susunod na games,” an ecstatic Gican said.
Teodoro was the only Heavy Bomber in double-figures with 24 points on 9-for-20 shooting.
Besides not having support for Teodoro, the Heavy Bombers were dominated on the inside as Perpetual pounded the paint in scoring 32 inside points. In addition, the Altas held a 41-32 rebounding edge.
The Perpetual Altas (1-1) face the San Sebastian Stags (1-1) on Thursday, July 14 at 2:00pm. Meanwhile, the Heavy Bombers (0-2) look for their first win on Tuesday, July 12 in facing the Benilde Blazers (0-3) at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
UPHSD (58) – Akhuetie 19, Dizon 12, Dagangon 10, Ylagan 7, Eze 6, Pido 2, Singontiko 0, Cabiltes 0, Hao 0.
JRU (50) – Teodoro 24, Dela Paz 6, Grospe 6, Lasquety 5, Abdulwahab 4, Dela Virgen 3, Evardo 2, Poutouochi 0, Caballero 0, Cruz 0, Mendoza 0, Mendoza 0, Pontejos 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarterscores: 14-14, 31-25, 42-39, 58-50.
