Martin San Diego | FCF
(UPDATED: September 12, 2013 – 9:46pm) University of Perpetual Help could not afford another heartbreak. And when their magazines ran empty in the endgame skirmish, they just relied on hustle and defense.
The Altas’ endgame defense bore fruits as they nipped an upset-hungry De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 68-64, in NCAA seniors’ basketball action at The Arena in San Juan Thursday.
The win maintained the 9-3 Perpetual Help’s standing at third place and half a game behind league leaders San Beda College and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Up by as much as nine, 64-55, midway in the fourth quarter and limiting the Blazers with no field goals in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, the Blazers found an offensive spurt, unleashing a 9-0 capped off by a wide open Mark Romero three-pointer at the 51-second mark to tie the game.
Lacking in offense, the Altas did what they did to start the quarter, and that is to play hustling defense.
In the ensuing play, Juneric Baloria saved a botched offensive play, stealing a bad outlet pass by RJ Argamino to feed the ball to Scottie Thompson, who converted one-of-two from the free throw line after being fouled by Fons Saavedra.
The Blazers again committed an error, with Saavedra stepping on the baseline after receiving a strong pass from Jonathan Grey, leading to two converted charities by Baloria with 14 seconds left.
In Benilde’s final stand, Argamino missed a wide open corner trey that sealed the game for the Altas.
“Akala namin tapos na, buti na lang nasalba pa,” commented Altas head coach Aric del Rosario. “At least naunahan namin, kesa kami ang maunahan,” he said, referring to a 17-7 opening run by his wards, before being cut by the Blazers, sending the game into a nip-and-tuck one.
Baloria finished with 18 points and six rebounds for the Altas while Harold Arboleda added 15 points and ten boards. Nosa Omorogbe, who was playing with a stomach illness, scored seven of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
The Blazers, who dropped to solo seventh place at 5-7, were led by Paolo Taha with 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. The leading Blazer scorer though, fouled out at the 1:50 minute mark of the fourth quarter.
FCF File Photo
Pinto aids Chiefs in epic comeback
In the first game, Arellano University escaped Lyceum of the Philippines, 76-75, thanks to a last second shot by combo guard John Pinto.
Down 75-74 with 14.3 seconds left, Pinto received a pass from Prince Caperal, dribbled out eight seconds, turned right, and fired a step back jumper off the defense of Jeremiah Taladua. The forced shot then bounced off the back rim and found its way down to the net.
“Miracle shot na lang yung play na yun,” Pinto said. “Para kay Prince dapat yun pero wala e, nag-sag yung depensa sa akin kaya napilitan ko talagang itira.”
Prior to that, the Chiefs faced a 65-72 deficit at the 2:50 mark of the game but fought back with a 9-3 run capped off by a reverse lay-up by a cutting Keith Agovida off a Caperal pass.
The Pirates then botched their offense when forward Aziz Mbomiko committed an inbound violation by side-stepping in the sideline, which cost the game for Lyceum.
Caperal led the 4-8 Chiefs with 25 points and 16 rebounds while Pinto added 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Pirates, who are now tied with the Chiefs at eighth place, were led by Mbomiko with 17 points and seven boards while guards Shane Ko and Dexter Zamora added 15 points apiece.
