MANILA – LA Casinillo delivered two crucial baskets in the final two minutes as University of Perpetual Help Altas survived a furious Arellano University Chiefs comeback, 65-58, to snap a six-game losing streak in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
With the game deadlocked at 58-all and the Altas facing the prospect of another heartbreaking defeat, Casinillo took charge, scoring four consecutive points to give Perpetual Help a 62-58 advantage with 57 seconds remaining.
The Altas held their ground the rest of the way to secure their third victory in 10 games, improving to 3-7 and ending a frustrating stretch of six consecutive defeats.
Casinillo finished with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, providing the decisive offensive spark when Perpetual Help needed it most.
“Within that losing streak, we never lost hope, we had to answer a few problems that we encountered especially in the first part of the season,” Altas head coach Olsen Racela said. “I just told them not to lose hope, we just need one win.”
Perpetual Help appeared headed for a comfortable victory after carrying a 48-40 advantage into the fourth quarter, but Arellano refused to surrender.
The Chiefs steadily chipped away at the deficit before Ernest Geronimo converted back-to-back baskets to force a 58-all deadlock with 2:15 remaining.
Casinillo, however, answered with two consecutive field goals to restore the Altas’ four-point cushion, allowing Perpetual Help to regain control and eventually seal the seven-point victory.
Mark Gojo Cruz spearheaded the Altas’ scoring with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Anjord Cabotaje led Arellano with 16 points, while Ernjay Geronimo contributed 12 as the Chiefs slipped to an even 5-5 record.
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde Blazers snapped Mapúa University Cardinals’ six-game winning streak with a hard-earned 71-69 victory in another tightly contested encounter.
The Blazers overcame a late Mapúa rally to end their own two-game losing skid and improve to 7-3 in Group A, while the Cardinals dropped to 6-4.
Ian Torres led Benilde’s balanced offensive attack with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Jhomel Ancheta and Raffy Celis contributed 14 points apiece.
Mark Cuenco carried the scoring load for Mapúa with 21 points, three assists and two steals, but his efforts were not enough to extend the Cardinals’ winning streak.
Yam Concepcion added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Jamal Diaz and Marcus Nitura chipped in nine points each for Mapúa./PN
