University of Perpetual Help gained top-notch contributions from their bench to defeat Lyceum of the Philippines, 65-60, in a battle of mid-table squads in Saturday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 90 seniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The win bolstered the Altas’ chances to enter the Final Four, moving up to 6-4 and creating a three-way tie for third together with Benilde and Jose Rizal U.
Rookie forward Gab Dangangon and ex-Junior Altas guard Flash Gordon Sadiwa carried the scoring load late in the third quarter, turning a once-deadlocked match at halftime to a 10-point advantage at the end of the period.
The duo allowed the starting unit – led by top most valuable player candidate Earl Thompson, and PBA-bound draftees Harold Arboleda and Juneric Baloria – to make the final push during the fourth quarter.
The 21-year old Cotabato native – together with Justine Alano – led the way for the Altas with 14 points each. He put up part of his nine second half points during their late third quarter rally to turn the nip-and-tuck match from a 26-all halftime score to a 50-40 advantage at the end of the quarter.
Sadiwa, who gave Thompson the much-needed rest in the second half, contributed five points in six minutes of play.
Baloria bumped 12 markers and eight boards to his name, Arboleda contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, while Thompson tallied 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists.
“Nag-gamble kami sa mga bagong players kagaya nila [Gab] Dangangon, [Flash Gordon] Sadiwa, at maganda din nilaro ni [Nestor] Bantayan sa ilalim. Nung endgame ang napagod yung Lyceum, di na sila makahabol dahil napahinga ko ang mga starters,” said Perpetual Help Head Coach Aric Del Rosario.
However, LPU Head Coach Bonnie Tan lamented that his wards – playing shorthanded shorthanded on a 12-man roster without team captain Shane Ko – made mistakes in the little things that mattered in the end.
“Three things did it in for us. First, we weren’t able to execute our defensive plans against Perpetual Help’s key players and they delivered. Second, we only made 11 out of 23 free throws. Lastly, we weren’t making the easy shots. The game wasn’t meant for us,” he said.
Ko, who is suffering from complications from his infection on his left foot, missed his fourth game of the season and forced him to be confined at a medical facility. He may miss the last eight games of the season as a result.
Dexter Zamora fired 18 points on seven-for-14 shooting, followed by Joseph Gabayni’s 14 points and 14 boards, and Wilson Baltazar’s 10 markers for the Pirates, which fell to sixth place with a 5-5 won-lost mark.
