Behind Jefner Egan, the Perpetual Altas got their acts just in time to take the breakthrough 71-65 victory over the Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill Blue Dragons Tuesday in the 2019 PBA D-League at Paco Arena in Manila.
Jefner Egan paced the Altas with 25 points and three rebounds as they scored their first win of the tourney after three outings.
Tonton Peralta added 13 points and four boards off the bench, as Jielo Razon contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
“I thought we did very well in the first half because of our defense and I think that propelled us in our offense. But in the third quarter, it was a simple collapse on our part,” admitted coach Frankie Lim.
The Altas zoomed past the Blue Dragons early, taking a 17-4 lead which turned to a 14-point advantage, 38-24 at the half.
But Diliman-Gerry’s waged back in the game to knot the score at 50 entering the fourth period.
Still, Perpetual was more than ready to retort, with Razon drilling the lead-swinging trey, 62-61 with 4:09 remaining as Peralta and Egan put the finishing touches in the win.
“Bago lang itong ginagawa namin eh. It’s about them believing in what were doing. I think I sold it to them very well naman,” said Lim.
Beninese bruiser Kevin Gandjeto fired 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Dragons as they fell to 1-2 in the Foundation Group.
The Scores:
UPHSD 71 — Egan 25, Peralta 13, Razon 12, Charcos 8, Adamos 6, Solis 4, Lanoy 2, Pasia 1, Sese 0, Tamayo 0, Pido 0, Martel 0, Guissani 0.
DC-Gerry’s 65 — Gandjeto 20, Cabanag 17, Bauzon 8, Brutas 7, Torrado 4, Mahari 4, Darang 3, Balagtas 2, Salazar 0, Bonsubre 0, Melendez 0, Coquia 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 38-24, 50-50, 71-65.