University of Perpetual Help System DALTA finally snapped its six-game losing skid, holding on for a 65-58 victory over Arellano University in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After starting the season at 2-1, the Altas endured six straight defeats, including three overtime heartbreaks. Their last victory came against the San Sebastian Stags on September 21.
With its first win in over a month, Perpetual improved to 3-7 in Group B to kick off the final round of eliminations.
“We just stuck to our system lang. Tiwala lang kami sa defense na ibinibigay ni Coach Olsen (Racela). Sa lahat ng mga heartbreak na nangyari, collective unit pa rin kami no matter what,” said LA Casinillo.
Staring at an 11-point deficit at the start of the third quarter, the Chiefs powered through a 12-3 surge to tie the game at 37-all.
The Altas responded with a 10-0 run of their own, before King Vinoya ended the drought with a triple with a minute left in the third period, as Perpetual entered the final frame ahead, 48-40.
Arellano continued to fight back, relying on their outside shooting to cut the deficit to four midway through the fourth quarter.
Even with the Chiefs’ early foul trouble, Arellano managed to further slice into the Altas’ advantage, cutting the deficit to 57-54 with an Ernest Geronimo three-pointer with four minutes left.
Geronimo kept his hot hand, sinking a stepback jumper before converting a step-through floater to tie the game at 58-all.
Casinillo came to Perpetual’s rescue, scoring on a quick layup before squeezing in another through Arellano’s defense to give the Altas a 62-58 lead with 49.7 seconds remaining.
Perpetual caught another break on the other end, as Vinoya’s three-point attempt hit the side of the backboard. Mark Gojo Cruz then sealed the Altas’ hard-fought win from the line.
“Actually, yung main defense namin was for T-Mc Ongotan and Basti Valencia. They didn’t play [that much], pero even if they played, we would still be ready kung anong gagawin ng Arellano against us. Thankfully, nakuha namin yung panalo,” added Casinillo, who finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
T-Mc Ongotan was held to just four points in 12 minutes of action, while Basti Valencia only logged three minutes on the court.
Gojo Cruz finished with 14 points—10 of which came from free throws—and five rebounds.
Casinillo added 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
The Altas will next face the EAC Generals on Friday, October 30, at 5 p.m. in the San Andres Gym in Manila.
Arellano, meanwhile, dropped to 5-5 in the standings after absorbing its second consecutive loss.
Anjord Cabotaje paced the Chiefs with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Geronimo recorded 12 points, four assists, and three steals.
The Chiefs will aim to bounce back against the Season 101 finalist Letran Knights on Thursday, October 29, at 5 p.m. in the same venue.
The Scores:
Perpetual Help 65 – Gojo Cruz 14, Casinillo 11, Tulabut 9, Gelsano 7, Borja 6, Orgo 5, Maglupay 5, Duremdes 5, Cristino 3, Corpuz 0, Roluna 0.
Arellano 58 – Cabotaje 16, Geronimo 12, Vinoya 9, Hernal 6, Ongotan 4, Manansala 4, Abiera 3, Flores 2, Buenaventura 2, Borromeo 0, Anama 0, Valencia 0, Langit 0, Camay 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 34-23, 48-40, 65-58.
