Despite committing 30 turnovers in the game, the University of Perpetual Help DALTA Altas were able to find a way to win.
Behind another strong performance by Bright Akhuetie, the Altas shackled the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags late to take a 76-61 win, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Akhuetie, in his second game of the season, plowed through the porous interior defense of San Sebastian, posting 20 points and 20 rebounds. Transferee Daryl Singontiko and GJ Ilagan added 12 and 11 markers respectively.
“It just happened but I don’t really care about it. I just wanted to win,” said the 19-year-old Akhuetie.
San Sebastian rookie RJ Ilagan shot the lights out in the opening half, scoring 20 points in just eight minutes, while going a blistering 7-for-7 from the field. However, he did not receive the same support that Akhuetie did, as the Altas held a 44-37 lead entering the second half.
“Actually, nag-adjust kami kasi alam naman natin na yung strength ng Baste yung three points nila,” said first year Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican, when asked about the adjustments his team had made in the second half. “Tinaas namin yung pressure at dinikitan talaga namin yung mga shooters nila.”
After falling by as much as 13 points in the third frame, the Stags were able to mount their comeback late in the quarter. Egay Macaraya’s squad went on a 7-0 run via five points from Ilagan to cut the lead to just six, 60-54, entering the final frame.
The two teams continued to trade baskets and miscues to start the final quarter. A floater by Ian Valdez with 6:05 remaining kept Baste in the game, 68-61. However, that would be the last basket by the Stags for the rest of the game.
Shots by Gab Dagangon, who had been fighting off foul trouble for the entire game, and Akhuetie followed by free throws by Ilagan sealed the win for the Altas.
“Kahit masama yung laro namin nanalo pa kami. Ang taas ng turnovers namin,” Gican said about the 30 turnovers committed by the Altas in the game. “Hindi pang college yung nilaro namin at kailangan namin i-work out pa yun.”
The Stags, though, were not able to take advantage of the 30 turnovers by Perpetual, scoring just 17 points from these. In addition, San Sebastian shot a horrid 24 percent from the field.
Ilagan was the only Stag to score in double-figures, with 27 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field. Alvin Capobres added nine points and nine boards.
The Perpetual Altas (2-1) will next face the San Beda Red Lions on Tuesday, July 19 at 4:00pm. On the other hand, the San Sebastian Stags (1-2) look to bounce back on the same day as they face the Letran Knights at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
UPHSD (76) – Akhuetie 20, Singontiko 12, Ilagan 11, Pido 8, Eze 7, Hao 6, Coronel 4, Dagangon 4, Dizon 4, Cabiltes 0, Yuhico 0.
SSC-R (61) – Ilagan 27, Capobres 9, Costelo 5, Calisaan 4, Baetiong 3, Bulanadi 3, David 3, Serajosef 3, Fabian 2, Valdez 2, Gayosa 0, Mercado 0, Quipse 0, Calma 0.
Quarterscores: 19-21, 44-37, 60-54, 76-61
