In the second leg of their trap game series, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas pounded the Mapua University Cardinals, 88-71, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
This is Perpetual’s fourth straight win to go up to 9-5 – good for solo fourth as of publishing.
Going into this game, first-year Altas head coach Frankie Lim warned his team that they cannot afford to lose their next four games after winning over the Lyceum Pirates last September 21.
“Well that’s the target actually. We want to keep on winning para umabot sa Final Four,” the decorated tactician shared. “We have two more games before we face Letran and San Beda. We are playing Baste next week then EAC. Those games are must-win games.”
It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Altas, as their starters overwhelmed Mapua’s.
Jielo Razon led the first five with 19 points, while perennial MVP-candidate Prince Eze added 17 points and 15 rebounds. In his fourth game back, Edgar Charcos steered the ship with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds.
“Yung last game namin against JRU then now Mapua, if we lost one of those games, balewala yung panalo namin sa Lyceum. I’m giving full confidence to them to perform better in each game,” added Lim.
Kim Aurin led the bench mob with 23 points.
Perpetual’s defense stifled Mapua, forcing 19 turnovers that led to 17 points, and was highlighted in the third frame as Perpetual would lead by as much as 24 points.
For Mapua, the sole bright spot was Warren Bonifacio, who had 19 points on 9-for-14 shooting with nine boards. Laurenz Victoria chipped in 16 markers.
Perpetual look to avoid a letup when they face the San Sebastian Golden Stags on Thursday, October 4. Mapua, a team that dropped to 4-10, will take on the Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday, October 2.
The Scores:
UPHSD 88 – Aurin 23, Razon 19, Eze 17, Charcos 12, Sese 6, Coronel 5, Peralta 4, Tamayo 2, Cuevas 0, Mangalino 0, Jimenez 0, Pasia 0
MU 71 – Bonifacio 20, Victoria 16, Bunag 8, Serrano 7, Pelayo 6, Gamboa 6, Lugo 5, Nieles 2, Biteng 1, Jabel 0, Aguirre 0
Quarterscores: 20-13, 41-30, 68-46, 88-71
