By: Joaquin Cortez
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA finally barged into the win column, fending off Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-72, to secure its first victory in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Perpetual shook off its opening-night loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Sunday, when newcomer Denzil Walker spoiled the Altas’ party in his Knights debut. The Altas improved to 1-1 in the standings, while the Generals dropped to 0-1.
The Altas led by as many as nine points in the first half before the Generals mounted a comeback after the break. However, timely baskets from Mark Gojo Cruz, Gelo Gelsano, and LA Casinillo down the stretch allowed Perpetual to hold off EAC and secure its first win of the season.
“I think composure in the end game [was the difference.] Today, we had control of the game in the second half and no’ng first game kasi naghahabol kami,” Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela said. “We know [EAC] is a good team, well-coached team … and we were ready for that. Our players were really ready to play the game and win the challenge.”
After taking a 42-36 lead into halftime, Perpetual stretched its cushion to double digits midway through the third quarter after a Rey Maglupay layup made it 55-45. The Generals quickly answered with a 9-0 run, with EJ Castillo providing the spark as EAC cut the deficit to one, 55-54.
JM Tulabut then knocked down a triple to keep the Generals at bay, sending Perpetual into the final period with a 58-54 lead.
The Altas started the final frame hot, unleashing a 17-7 run capped by Cruz’s layup that stretched their lead to 11, 75-64, with less than five minutes remaining.
The Generals made one last push as Kyle Ochavo’s 3-pointer, followed by Joseph Nunag’s inbound steal and layup on the next possession, trimmed the deficit to seven, 79-72, with two minutes remaining.
Perpetual pulled away the rest of the way, with consecutive layups from Cruz and Gelsano sealing the victory.
Four of Perpetual’s five starters scored in double figures, with Gelsano leading the way with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Casinillo added 16 points as the Altas’ second-leading scorer.
Cruz, who struggled with just eight points before fouling out in the season opener against Letran, bounced back with 15 points, matching Tulabut’s scoring output. Maglupay rounded out Perpetual’s balanced scoring effort with 11 points and two assists.
For the Generals, who saw 13 players depart in the offseason, Castillo paced the team with 19 points and five rebounds. Harvae Raymundo added 17 points, including three triples, while Jude Bagay contributed 11 markers.
The two teams last met in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup 2026 finals earlier this month, where Perpetual escaped with a slim 64-63 win over the Generals to claim the preseason tournament crown.
Both teams will have a few days of rest before returning to action at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City next week. Perpetual will take on San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m., while Emilio Aguinaldo will face Arellano University on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
Perpetual Help 83 – Gelsano 17, Casinillo 16, Gojo Cruz 15, Tulabut 15, Maglupay 11, Cristino 4, Pagulayan 3, Duremdes 2, Borja 0, Corpuz 0, Velasquez 0, Cauguiran 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0
Emilio Aguinaldo 72 – Castillo 19, H. Raymundo 17, Bagay 11, Oftana 9, Nunag 6, Ochavo 5, M. Raymundo 3, Bonus 2, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Coronel 0, Mundas 0, Luna 0
Quarterscores: 19-17, 42-36, 58-54, 83-72.
