After suffering a heartbreaker against the Letran Knights last Friday, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas bounced back, displaying their signature defense against the skidding Arellano University Chiefs, 68-59, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Perpetual snapped their two-game losing streak to raise their record to 3-4. Arellano, on the other hand, suffered their fourth straight defeat, last winning against the Saint Benilde Blazers last July 28.
“Talagang gusto naming manalo kasi nagpagupit si GJ [Ylagan],” quipped second-year Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican. “Yun nga, kasi dalawang sunod na talo, mahirap, mahirap. Kailangan ipanalo itong game na ito, para naman maka-bawi tsaka mawala na yung sakit ba, especially yung game namin against Letran.”
Nigerian student-athlete Prince Eze posted a 20-20 game to lead Perpetual with 23 points and 21 rebounds to go along with five swats. A new-look Ylagan added 11 points and eight rebounds.
But Arellano clawed back after falling behind by as much as 14 points, 27-13, during the second period.
With 50.3 ticks remaining, Richard Abanes was able to knock down a jumper to cut the lead to just three, 62-59. Ylagan was able to answer right back, though, finding his big man underneath to extend their cushion to two possessions.
Back-to-back misses by Zach Nicholls and a Gab Dagangon stab iced the game for Perpetual. To add insult to injury, Abanes was called for his second unsportsmanlike foul that will certainly result in a one-game suspension.
Perpetual were without Daryl Singontiko and Flash Sadiwa for the game, as both had figured in separate injuries during the team’s practice yesterday. They remain day-to-day according to Gican.
Arellano ace Kent Salado was limited to just 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting while committing six of Arellano’s 15 turnovers. Abanes added 13 points.
Perpetual look to ride the momentum they gained in this game, hosting the San Beda Red Lions on Thursday, August 17. Arellano, on the other hand, hope to end their losing streak when they take on the same team on Tuesday, August 22, at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
UPHSD 68 – Eze 23, Ylagan 11, Dagangon 10, Clemente 8, Yuhico 7, Pido 5, Coronel 4, Mangalino 0, Hao 0, Tamayo 0, Lucente 0
AU 59 – Salado 14, Abanes 13, Flores 9, Canete 7, Enriquez 4, Ongolo Ongolo 4, Nicholls 3, Villoria 3, Meca 2, Alcoriza 0, Dela Cruz 0, Taywan 0, Concepcion 0, Padilla 0
Quarterscores: 15-10, 33-25, 47-44, 68-59
