By: Brenn Allen Flores
University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta rose to solo third in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament after nipping past skidding San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 60-52, on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Notching their second straight win, the Altas improved their standing to 4-2 to gain a half-a-game lead over the San Beda Red Lions and the Letran Knights.
Following a tight first quarter, Perpetual surged ahead with a 34-28 lead at halftime, thanks to John Abis’ eight points in the first half.
The Altas controlled the game’s momentum in the second half, building a lead as large as 14 points in the fourth quarter. However, Lauren Gabat sparked an 8-0 run for San Sebastian, trimming the deficit to 55-49 with two minutes remaining.
Despite the Stags’ late push, Perpetual kept their composure, sealing the game with a clutch three-pointer from Mark Gojo Cruz to secure their second straight victory in the tournament.
“‘Yun ang inaabangan namin eh. Na-experience namin yung comeback na yon eh, twice noong preseason kasi noong Filoil and sa Pinoyliga. Overtime, talo kami both games,” Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela said.
“Kaya alam nila ‘yong come-from-behind wins ng San Sebastian. So we were ready, and sabi ko, ‘just play for 40 minutes.’ Siguro we caught them on a bad day kasi galing sila sa laro two days ago. So mahirap maglaro ng back-to-back games,” he added.
Veterans Christian Pagaran and John Abis led the Altas with 12 points each, while rookie Mark Gojo Cruz contributed 10 points.
“Malaki ang inaasahan namin sa mga veterans namin, specifically si Pags, John, JB, and Jearico Nunez. We expect them to provide leadership sa team na ‘to. Sometimes, not so much scoring pero more on leadership and their experience para i-guide nila yung mga batang players like Gojo,” Racela explained.
Perpetual aims for their third consecutive win when they face Colegio San Juan de Letran on Saturday, Sept. 28.
San Sebastian, on the other hand, dropped its fourth straight game to fall to 2-4.
Rafael Are was the lone double-digit scorer for the Golden Stags, posting 11 points and seven rebounds on 33.3 percent shooting.
San Sebastian looks to snap their skid against Mapua University on Friday, Sept. 27.
The Scores:
Perpetual Help 60 – Pagaran 12, Abis 12, Gojo Cruz 10, Gelsano 8, Boral 8, Orgo 6, Pizarro 4, Nuñez 0, Manuel 0, Montemayor 0
San Sebastian 52 – Are 11, L. Gabat 8, Escobido 7, R. Gabat 5, Pascual 5, Felebrico 5, Velasco 4, Maliwat 3, Ricio 2, Lintol 2, Aguilar 0, Suico 0, Barroga 0, Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 14-11, 34-28, 48-38, 60-52
