By: Miguel Caramoan
Through the game-long brilliance of Mark Gojo Cruz, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA punched its ticket to the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball semifinals with a 79-72 victory over Jose Rizal University on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win also ended a four-year Final Four drought for the Altas, who last reached the semifinals in Season 97.
Perpetual will now await the winner of the quarterfinal clash between the Letran Knights and the Arellano Chiefs, which has reached a sudden-death showdown scheduled for tomorrow at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Altas will remain on standby as they prepare for their semifinal matchup on December 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Talo kami sa Letran nung eliminations at talo kami sa Arellano nung round two. It’s going to be a tough series. We are just happy to be in the Final Four. That’s our first goal,” said Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela, who is in his second year.
“We have a short-term and a long-term goal, and papunta na kami sa next goal, which is reaching the Finals.”
The sophomore star led the charge with 21 points on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Patrick Sleat contributed an all-around stat line of 14 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists.
Shawn Orgo added 10 points to help secure the victory.
The Altas started the game with a fiery 9-0 run in less than two minutes of the first quarter, extending their lead to 22-6 on an Orgo triple. However, the Heavy Bombers clawed back to 22-16, holding Perpetual scoreless for the final 4:11 of the period.
Perpetual briefly stretched the lead to double digits at 35-25, powered by Gojo Cruz. JRU then countered with an 8-0 run capped by an Allen Laurenaria free throw to cut the deficit to 35-33 with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
The game’s first deadlock came in the third quarter at 43-all on a basket by Justin Lozano. But a 16-0 blast, with nine points from Gojo Cruz, restored Perpetual’s control at 59-43 with 2:22 remaining in the third frame.
JRU mounted a late rally, closing the gap to 73-70 with back-to-back triples from Sean Salvador and Yuri Duque with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. Two missed three-point attempts from Salvador and Lozano, combined with a strong drive to the basket by Sleat, sealed the win as Perpetual took a 75-70 lead with 34.3 seconds remaining.
“Nung first half at fourth quarter… Palagi ko naman sinasabi sa kanila na when their teammates run, they should always focus on stops. Kailangan focus din ishumoot din. Wag nila isipin yung scoring, but the priority is making stops,” said Racela after the win.
For the Heavy Bombers, their first season under head coach Nani Epondulan showed signs of growth, particularly in standing their ground in a tough Group B. However, they were ultimately outmatched by more experienced squads.
Rookie standout Sean Salvador and Allen Laurenaria poured in 18 and 16 points, respectively, for JRU.
The Scores:
Perpetual Help 81 – Gojo Cruz 23, Sleat 14, Orgo 10, Abis 9, Boral 7, Nunez 6, Casinillo 4, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 2, Gelsano 2, Tulabut 2, Maglupay 0, Pagulayan 0
Jose Rizal 74 – Salvador 18, Laurenaria 16, Lozano 11, Panapanaan 8, Duque 6, Argente 4, Garupil 4, Castillo 3, Benitez 2, Sarmiento 2, Herrera 0
Quarterscores: 22-16, 41-37, 63-51, 81-74
