By: Miguel Caramoan
With the heroics of John Abis and Mark Gojo Cruz, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA extended their strong start in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament with a come-from-behind 69-60 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The graduating Abis once again led Perpetual in scoring, tallying 15 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Gojo Cruz contributed 12 points and three assists on 50% shooting from the field.
“Humihingi lang ako ng tulong kay Lord and sabi ko Ikaw na bahala. Lalaro at lalaro na lang ako at titiisin ko na lang nararamdaman kong sakit and para din sa team,” said Abis on playing and performing well despite an injured shoulder.
The Generals started strong in the opening quarter, closing the period with a 13-5 run highlighted by Aldeo Lucero’s eight points to take a 25-15 lead after the first ten minutes.
However, the Altas fought back in the second quarter. John Boral scored Perpetual’s final six points in the frame to trim the deficit to 38-37, after trailing by as many as 14 earlier in the period.
In the third quarter, both teams traded baskets, with Jude Bagay leading the offense for EAC. Mark Gojo Cruz’s seven points, combined with LA Casinillo’s five, helped Perpetual edge ahead, 54-52, heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter proved tightly contested, with EAC’s Wilmar Oftana drilling a three-pointer to tie the game at 60-all with 2:54 remaining. Consecutive baskets from Abis and Boral then sparked a 7-0 run for the Altas, giving them a 67-60 cushion with 48 seconds left on the clock.
The win placed Perpetual in a comfortable position atop Group A, improving their record to 6-1.
“Hindi pa namin nakakalaban ang Benilde [Blazers] at ang San Beda, so ayun talaga ang tough test for us. So iniisip namin bago makalaban those tough teams, kailangan ng puhunan,” said Altas head coach Olsen Racela on the importance of their strong start.
Perpetual will aim for three straight wins when they face the Benilde Blazers on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Kailangan lang na mag-ingat kami sa complacency, lalo na yung kalaban namin dalawang mabibigat na teams. As long as we still stick to our system, proseso ng ginagawa namin, especially on the defensive end – we will be OK,” Racela added on how he wants his team to approach their next two games.
Meanwhile, the Generals dropped to 3-4, snapping their two-game winning streak and tying with JRU for the fourth spot in Group B. The team was also without head coach Jerson Cabiltes due to a prior commitment.
Oftana led EAC with 18 points and six rebounds, including four triples. Lucero and Bagay added 12 and 10 points, respectively, in a losing effort.
EAC will look to get back in the win column against the LPU Pirates, also on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
Perpetual Help 69 – Abis 15, Gojo Cruz 12, Boral 10, Nunez 9, Sleat 7, Casinillo 5, Tulabut 4, Maglupay 3, Alcantara 2, Duremdes 2, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0
Emilio Aguinaldo 60 – Oftana 18, Lucero 12, Bagay 10, Quinal 5, Angeles 5, Castillo 4, Loristo 3, Ochavo 2, Omandac 1, Bacud 0, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 15-25, 37-38, 54-52, 69-60
