University of Perpetual Help System DALTA overcame the gritty Emilio Aguinaldo College, 55-54, in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Down by one, 54-55 with 23 seconds remaining, Ralph Robin tried to redeem himself after missing two crucial free throws with 37-ticks left that would’ve given the Generals the lead.
Unfortunately for him, he missed the potential game-winning layup with just two seconds left.
“Parang samin pumunta yung destiny eh. May mga drive sila na akala mo nga shoshoot na eh,” said Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit “Kumbaga siguro breaks of the game lang talaga. Siguro para samin tong game na to.”
The Altas were leading by as much as 15, 43-28 after a Mark Omega jump shot at the start of the third frame. However, the Generals clawed back from the game after a 16-5 third period to be only down by four, 47-43.
Perpetual outrebounded EAC 54 to 45 which led them to dominate the second chance points, 11 compared to the Generals — who only had two.
Mark Omega was a steady force on this one with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, with 11 rebounds and a block. Rey Barcuma added 10 points, four boards, and two dimes, while Jielo Razon provided eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals.
Joshua Tolentino led EAC with 15 markers, three boards, and five dimes, while JC Luciano had seven points and 13 rebounds.
The Altas improved to 4-3 while the Generals dropped to 0-6.
Next up for both teams is on Friday. Perpetual will take on Colegio de San Juan de Letran (3-2) at 3 PM, while EAC will battle it out against the also winless Mapua University (0-7)
The Scores:
Perpetual 55 –– Omega 15, Barcuma 10, Razon 8, Aurin 6, Ferreras 5, Martel 3, Cuevas 3, Roque 2, Nitura 2, Egan 1, Abis 0, Orgo 0, Boral 0, Flores 0.
EAC 54 — Tolentino 15, Maguliano 7, Luciano 7, Liwag 5, Robin 4, An. Doria 4, Gurtiza 4, Umpad 4, Bajon 4, Cosa 0, Quinal 0, Cabuhat 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 41-28, 47-43, 55-54.
