De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and University of Perpetual Help kept in stride of each other following separate wins in Wednesday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 90 seniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
In the first game, the Altas survived yet another late-game scare, this time against the pesky Letran College, to notch their seventh win through a 67-64 result. On the other hand, the Blazers pulled off a 74-66 win over Lyceum of the Philippines sans Head Coach Bonnie Tan in the second game.
Both teams’ respective victories reduced their magic number to four to gain at least a playoff for a spot in the Final Four.
Perpetual Help saw their 11 point lead in the third quarter reduced to just a single point, 64-63, behind the effort of Rey Nambatac, who scored all of his eight points in the final two quarters.
But Earl Thompson knocked down two crucial freebies with 49 seconds left to create a three-point cushion, 66-63, entering the final stretch.
With one final chance to tie the game and send the match into overtime, Letran failed to get a clear shot at the basket, with Nambatac throwing a prayer from long range that only clanked the rim.
Thompson compiled 16 points and 13 rebounds, followed by PBA-bound teammates Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda with 18 and 10, respectively.
“Kung ano yung ginagawa ko noon, ginagawa ko sa practice, ginagawa ko rin sa court. Pero hindi ko muna iniisip yung MVP, focus muna kami sa mga laro namin. Matagal pa yung second round,” said Thompson.
However, Coach Aric Del Rosario complained that his players once again relaxed in the final stages when they held a comfortable lead.
“Malaki na lamang namin e, tapos nagmamadali pa sila. Nahabol tuloy kami,” said Perpetual Help Head Coach Aric del Rosario.
Kevin Racal dropped 18 points, followed by Mark Cruz’s 16 points for the Knights, whose Final Four hopes were placed in jeopardy with their seventh loss in 11 games this season.
On the other hand, senior guard Paolo Taha exploded for 26 points and nine rebounds to lead the Blazers to their seventh win in eight contests.
With the game tied at 66-all, the trio of Taha, Mark Romero, and Robert Bartolo led a 8-0 blast in the last 1:34 of the contest to seal the victory.
Romero contributed 18 points, while Jonathan Grey added 13.
The Pirates – handled by lead assistant Paolo Tiongco due to the sudden illness of Bonnie Tan, who complained of a skin allergy – were paced by Wilson Baltazar’s 17 points and Guy Mbida’s 15.
Joseph Gabayni, who contributed nine points in the first half, was held to just two points in the second half to finish with 11 points and 20 rebounds.
