Kim Aurin waxed hot early and paced the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in a 77-56 rout of Jose Rizal University for their first win in the NCAA Season 97 seniors’ basketball tournament, Tuesday at the La Salle Green Hills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
The senior guard, who started his collegiate career with the Heavy Bombers, scored four triples in the first quarter to kick off a 26-9 blast from the Altas.
Aurin ended up with 20 points — all coming from the first half — to go along with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Newly-installed Altas head coach Myk Saguiguit credited their off-season work for this outing.
“Actually ang preparation ng teams, lahat naman kami nag-struggle kasi nga short yung preparation yung nagyari sa ‘min,” the erstwile-Junior Altas’ mentor.
“Hindi ko rin ineexpect yung naging resulta ng game. Siguro yung excitement lang ng mga bata kasi for two years, hindi nakapaglaro ng basketball so ito yung chance nila kaya ang ganda ng nangyari sa amin. Players’ effort siya. Ang naging sikreto nito ay yung relasyon nila, relasyon ng players, relasyon ng coaches,” he continued.
JRU though put up a fight in the second stanza.
John De Los Santos kept JRU in the game in the second quarter, capping off a 12-2 run with back-to-back baskets at 4:26 minutes left in the half that cut the deficit to 14, 21-35.
This turned out to be the Bombers’ last stand, as Perpetual continued to diffuse the Heavy Bombers and limit their offense.
Setting up Aurin and the rest of the Altas for most of the game, Jielo Razon took charge in the second half and sent his team into a 20-point lead at 55-35, before dishing it out to Jeff Egan for an inside attack for the biggest lead, 64-38.
Razon closed out the battle with 13 markers, five rebounds, and a game-high six assists. Captain Jeff Egan contribute to the Altas’ cause as well with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists while John Abis grabbed 14 rebounds and six points.
De Los Santos paced the Bombers with 17 points but was limited to just a 29-percent shooting clip. The sophomore also had six rebounds and four steals.
Jason Celis added 11 points, six rebounds, and three steals while Erol Bongay got eight points and 12 rebounds.
Perpetual will next face San Sebastian College-Recolletos on Friday at 12 NN. Meanwhile, JRU will take on Mapua later on the same day at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
UPHSD 77 – Aurin 20, Egan 14, Razon 13, Abis 6, Pagaran 5, Omega 4, Nunez 3, Cuevas 2, Sevilla 2, Barcuma 2, Boral 2, Martel 2, Movida 2, Kawamura 0, Ferreras 0.
JRU 56 – De Los Santos. 17, Celis 11, Bongay 8, Agbong 7, Arenal 7, Estrella 3, Dionisio 2, Jungco 1, Macatangay 0, Aguilar 0, Guiab 0, Rama 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 26-9, 43-27, 64-38, 77-56
