University of Perpetual Help System DALTA got back on the winning track in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament as it blew San Sebastian College-Recoletos out, 64-50, on Friday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Perpetual bounced back after suffering back-to-back losses to the College of Saint Benilde (80-86) and Jose Rizal University (65-71). Following their victory against the Stags, their season record now stands at 2-4.
“It’s a big morale boosting game against San Sebastian, marami silang paghuhugutan,” said Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit.
Jielo Razon and Christian Pagaran played pivotal roles in controlling Perpetual’s offense during the game. Razon recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Pagaran contributed 14 points.
Despite the struggles of their standout sophomore forwards, Marcus Nitura and Art Roque, the Altas managed to secure the win.
Nitura, who finished with 13 points, did not make a single field goal until his buzzer-beating floater in the third quarter, putting them ahead 46-41.
Roque, on the other hand, only scored seven points with a shooting efficiency of 27.3-percent.
Perpetual established a substantial lead in the second quarter as San Sebastian deployed a 1-2-2 zone defense, which had previously worked against Jose Rizal University. The Altas efficiently exploited the zone with their offensive plays, leading by as much as 13 points, 35-22, after a layup by Roque.
The Stags mounted a comeback in the third quarter with a 14-4 run, cutting Perpetual’s lead to just one point, 41-40, with Tristan Felebrico sinking free throws with 1:29 left in the quarter.
However, the Altas remained resolute and regained their double-digit advantage with a 21-7 run spanning the third and fourth quarters, leading 62-47 after a layup by Razon, which secured their victory.
Saguiguit commended his team for responding effectively to San Sebastian’s third-quarter resurgence, sealing the win.
Saguiguit explained, “Actually before going out second half, yun ang niremind ng coaches sa kanila. Kryptonite quarter namin yang third quarter, lagi kaming bagsak. Kahit lumamang kami ng singkuwenta hinahabol. Siguro ganoon pa rin nangyari, but at least yung adversity ng third quarter na yan kaya nang habulin.”
Perpetual’s next game is against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday at 12:20 p.m.
Romel Calahat was the only San Sebastian player to score in double digits, achieving a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Baste’s three guards, Rafael Are, Alex Desoyo, and Raymart Escobido, struggled against Perpetual’s length.
The three of them combined for a meager 3-of-29 shooting from the field, totaling only 12 points.
With this loss, the Stags’ record also stands at 2-4, alongside Perpetual. They are scheduled to face Emilio Aguinaldo College on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
The Scores:
UPHSD 64 – Razon 14, Pagaran 14, Nitura 13, Roque 7, Ferreras 6, Omega 2, Gelsano 2, Abis 2, Nunez 2, Barcuma 2, Orgo 0
San Sebastian 50 – Calahat 13, Are 8, Felebrico 8, Sumoda 7, Re. Gabat 7, Escobido 4, Shanoda 3, Una 0, Castor 0, Desoyo 0, de Leon 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 35-26, 46-41, 64-50
