Behind a career-outing by Kim Aurin, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas were able to fend off the upset-seeking Mapua University Cardinals, eking out a triumph, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Altas were able to pick up their fifth win in seven outings — surpassing their win total last season.
Aurin, a transferee from Jose Rizal University, tallied a career-best 22 points to go along with five assists, five steals, and four rebounds.
“Tamang tama yung pasok ko sa kanya. Good thing nakabawi siya nung napasok ko siya,” said Altas head coach Frankie Lim.
But playing in their second game in three days, the Altas let an 11-point lead with six minutes left slip them by.
“I thought when we were up by 11, akala ko bibigay na yung Mapua. But Mapua is a tough team, they won’t give up. Still, a win is a win,” shared Lim.
Down 55-66, Eric Jabel willed the Cardinals back into the game. A Cedric Pelayo triple with 2:46 left cut the lead to just two.
A split from the stripe by Prince Eze followed by back-to-back baskets by Aurin stopped the bleeding for the Altas to seal the victory.
After being limited to just 21 minutes against JRU last Tuesday, Eze finished with 19 points and 19 rebounds. Edgar Charcos though was limited to his season-low five points but was able to add eight rebounds and five assists to his tally.
Mapua dropped its fourth straight game, falling to a 2-6 slate.
Warren Bonifacio paced Mapua with 13 points and 12 rebounds while Pelayo and Denniel Aguirre chipped in 10 points each.
Perpetual looks to make it four in a row when it battles the CSB Blazers on Friday, August 24. Mapua, on the other hand, hopes to end its skid when it takes on the Letran Knights on Tuesday, August 21.
The Scores:
UPHSD 74 – Aurin 22, Eze 19, Coronel 14, Razon 5, Charcos 5, Peralta 4, Cuevas 3, Mangalino 2, Sese 0
MU 68 – Bonifacio 13, Pelayo 10, Aguirre 10, Lugo 7, Biteng 7, Jabel 6, Salenga 6, Gamboa 5, Bunag 2, Serrano 2, Garcia 0, Pajarillo 0
Quarterscores: 22-22, 34-33, 57-52, 74-68
