Gab Dagangon saved his best-ever NCAA performance for when it mattered.
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas needed every point from Dagangon’s career-high in an 87-83 win over rivals San Beda College Red Lions, Friday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
And it was sweet for the Perpetual community, as the win marked the first time they have ever beat San Beda in a playoff game since 2004.
Dagangon dropped his personal high in the game with 27 points, 11 points in the final frame, on 60 percent shooting. Bright Akhuetie also made a triumphant return from a one-game school-imposed suspension, dropping a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to go along with three swats.
“Medyo happy na naging successful kami,” Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican said. “But it’s just Game One. Enjoy ko muna ito but we have to prepare hard for Game Two. Sana makuha namin.”
The Altas led by as much as 14 points early in the second frame, 23-9, but behind Robert Bolick, who already notch his career-high 21 points during the first half, and AC Soberano, the Red Lions were able to gain control in the third canto.
Perpetual, however, wanted it just as badly.
The two high-caliber teams exchanged ties and leads in the final frame. With the game locked at 83-all with 1:04 remaining, Akhuetie was able to swat away Javee Mocon’s attempt. On the other end, Dagangon foiled a steal attempt by Mocon to score underneath and give Perpetual an 85-83 lead with 19 ticks remaining.
Filipino-American Davon Potts was able to find Soberano for a wide-open three, but the shot missed. Free throws by Kieth Pido with 3.4 seconds remaining sealed the win.
“Gusto manalo eh,” Gican beamed. “Mataas lang ang aggressiveness ng team, lumabas yung pagiging competitive. Okay naman so far.”
Daryl Singontiko added 15 points for Perpetual.
For the hosts, AC Soberano scored all 16 of his points in the second half that included four triples. Arnaud Noah and Davon Potts scored 14 and 12 points respectively.
Game Two will be played on Tuesday, October 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
UPHSD (87) – Dagangon 27, Akhuetie 15, Singontiko 15, Hao 8, Ilagan 8, Coronel 6, Pido 6, Sadiwa 2, Eze 0, Gallardo 0, Mangalino 0.
SBC (83) – Bolick 21, Soberano 16, Noah 14, Potts 12, Mocon 8, Adamos 6, Optana 2, Prebitero 2, Sara 2, Alas 0, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0, Tongco 0.
Quarterscores: 21-9, 41-36, 60-62, 87-83.
