SAN JUAN, MM—Bright Akhuetie put up glaring numbers for Perpetual Help as he led the team to an 81-78 win over CSB in a rare morning seniors match in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Wednesday.
Akhuetie sizzled for 35 points and 20 rebounds along with three assists, one block, and one steal for the Altas, who clawed back from a slow start to beat their fellow NCAA team.
With the Blazers leading, 27-15, late in the first quarter, a Prince Eze slam to end the period sparked a 26-8 Altas run led by Akhuetie that put them ahead, 41-35, at the half.
G-Jay Ylagan scored back-to-back triples to give Perpetual Help its largest lead at 47-35 at the opening stages of the third. The squad maintained the lead and was up, 79-69, with 2:10 left in the game.
But a 7-0 run ignited by Jonathan Grey kept CSB in the match as the team crawled to within three, 76-79, with 55.9 seconds remaining.
Akhuetie, however, scored on a follow-up off his own miss, and his teammates did the job on the defensive end in the final 46.8 seconds of the game to score the victory.
Gab Dagangon added 13 points for the Altas, who moved to a tie with the JRU Heavy Bombers for first place in Group A at 6-1.
Grey scored 21 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while J.R. Ongteco tallied 15 points, ten rebounds, one block, and one steal for the Blazers, who finished their FilOil campaign at 3-5.
Box Scores:
Perpetual Help 81-Akhuetie 35, Dagangon 13, Oliveria 8, Ylagan 6, Dizon 6, Eze 6, Gallardo 4, Coronel 3, Sadiwa 0, Elopre 0, Pido 0, Imperial 0
CSB 78-Grey 21, Ongteco 15, Jonson 8, Young 8, Nayve 8, Saavedra 7, Sta. Maria 4, Castor 4, J.S. Domingo 2, Deles 2, Fajarito 0, Norberte 0, Flores 0
Quarterscores: 18-27, 41-35, 62-50, 81-78