Unyielding pressure from University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the fourth quarter enabled it to launch a 19-0 run, resulting in a 73-61 victory over the ailing defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
The Altas were sluggish out of the gate until the fourth quarter brought them back to victory.
Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit explained after the game that the Altas’ slow start was a result of low morale stemming from their poor performance in the first round.
However, he was able to rally them back into focus at halftime.
“So coming out of the dugout, I reminded them, kasi sa tingin nila tapos na yung season eh. Sabi ko huwag nila tingnan yung standings, just take it one game at a time. Flat na flat nung first half eh, sabi ko hindi pa tayo tapos. Ako naniniwala hanggat may buzzer, huwag tayo maniwala na talo na. So nag-respond naman sila at kita niyo naman nangyari,” shared Saguiguit.
Down for the entire match until the fourth quarter, the Altas turned to a 2-2-1 press against Letran to cause havoc and quickly get back into the game.
The increased pressure brought by Perpetual’s defensive shift resulted in 25 turnovers for Letran throughout the game, which the Altas turned into 21 easy points.
The heightened ball pressure catalyzed a 19-0 run in the fourth quarter for the Altas, as the Letran guards struggled to get the ball past halfcourt. Down by one with 6:50 left in the game, John Abis stole an errant pass from Jay Garupil.
He then found Jielo Razon in transition for an open three, giving Perpetual their first lead of the game, 62-59.
The Altas refused to take their feet off the gas pedal on the defensive end, holding the Knights to just two more points the rest of the way. They suffocated Letran’s offense, allowing a total of six points in the fourth quarter on their way to victory.
“Actually, yung 2-2-1 press namin hindi panggamit eh. I just told them na be ready if necessary. Kaso lang napunta kami doon kasi nga flat kami nung first half, naghabol kami ng naghabol sa Letran sabi ko, baka puwede ‘to. Na-execute nila ng maganda, nasunod nila yung mga schemes, nag-result sa turnover kaya nakahabol kami,” explained Saguiguit.
The sophomore wing duo of Marcus Nitura and Art Roque once again led the Altas’ attack. Nitura scored 17 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out two assists, and making four steals. Meanwhile, Roque achieved a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards.
Team captain Jelo Razon also provided a steady source of offense for Perpetual with his 13 points, five assists, and five steals.
Angelo Gelsano stepped up big-time in his limited minutes of play, scoring 10 points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter as he outscored the entire Letran squad in that final frame. His frontcourt partner, John Abis, was also an important factor on the boards with his seven points and 16 rebounds.
The Altas, who struggled in the first round of the season, secured a much-needed win as they aim to get back into the final four picture.
The victory brings them up to a 4-6 record to kick off the second round. Perpetual will face off against the College of Saint Benilde next on Sunday at 2:40 PM.
Letran’s senior big man, Paolo Javillonar, led their offense with 14 points and eight boards, while Deo Cuajao added 11 points on 30-percent shooting. Jay Garupil was the only other player in double-digits with 10 points of his own, but he also committed seven turnovers.
Kurt Reyson was held to just seven points off the bench as Letran’s captain found it difficult to find openings in the Perpetual defense.
The Knights are running out of time to turn their season around as they drop to 1-9 to begin the second round. The schedule only gets tougher from here, as Letran will face the top team, Mapua University, next on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
UPHSD 73- Nitura 17, Roque 16, Razon 13, Gelsano 10, Pagaran 8, Abis 7, Orgo 2, Barcuma 0, Nunez 0, Ferreras 0, Omega 0, Boral 0
Letran 61– Javillonar 14, Cuajao 11, Garupil 10, Ariar 7, Reyson 7, Santos 6, Monje 6, Nunag 0, Go 0, Bautista 0, Bojorcelo 0
Quarterscores: 16-25, 36-41, 49-55, 73-61
