MANILA — University of Perpetual Help Altas unleashed a crippling 11-0 late-game run to pull away from San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags, 86-74, and notch their second victory in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday night at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Locked in a one-point battle with less than four minutes remaining, the Altas found another gear down the stretch, turning a precarious 73-72 advantage into an 84-72 cushion that effectively slammed the door on the Golden Stags.
The victory, which came on the heels of Perpetual Help’s triumph over Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, lifted the Altas to a 2-1 win-loss record while sending San Sebastian to its third consecutive defeat.
San Sebastian appeared poised to break into the win column after taking a 70-69 lead late in the payoff period, but Jim Corpuz and Juan Tulabut answered with back-to-back baskets to push Perpetual Help ahead, 73-70, with 3:56 remaining.
Arwin Alforque kept the Golden Stags within striking distance with a layup at the 3:40 mark to trim the deficit to 73-72.
That, however, proved to be San Sebastian’s last serious threat as the Altas erupted for 11 unanswered points to build an insurmountable 84-72 advantage.
Tulabut spearheaded Perpetual Help with 18 points, while LA Casinillo added 15 markers.
Mark Gojo Cruz delivered an all-around performance of 12 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Angelo Gelsano chipped in 10 points for the Altas.
Niel Castor paced San Sebastian with 17 points, while Alforque and Matt Acosta contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates broke into the win column in dramatic fashion after surviving Mapua University Cardinals, 88-87, in their Group A encounter.
Lance Aurigue powered the Pirates with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds as Lyceum improved to a 1-1 record.
With the game deadlocked at 83-all, Aurigue split his free throws before Jamal Diaz responded with a jumper that gave Mapua an 85-84 edge with 1:26 remaining.
Aurigue then took over, burying a two-pointer before converting two free throws to restore Lyceum’s advantage at 88-85 with 38 seconds left.
Renz Villegas contributed 17 points and Matthew Rubico added 15 for the Pirates.
Marcus Nitura and Ivan Lazarte finished with 14 points apiece for the Cardinals, while Diaz chipped in 13 markers in the loss./PN
