By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN—Perpetual Help wished Bright Akhuetie was
around.
Mapua pounced on the absence of the Altas
bigman, rallying from 11 points down for a 67-63 win to claim third
spot in the second game of NCAA Season 92 action Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Cardinals allowed the Altas to just two points in
the payoff period, two charity splits from Prince Eze, while scoring 17 points
on its own to finish its elimination campaign with a 12-6 win-loss record.
After taking a 10-point cushion at the close of the
first quarter, Mapua suddenly succumbed to a deadly Perpetual run in the next two
periods to find itself down, 50-61, entering the final 10 minutes of play.
Joseph Eriobu hit clutch baskets in the final three
minutes of the match. His baseline bucket capped off the MIT fightback to take
the lead for good, 65-62.
Reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme scored game-highs of 14
points and 24 rebounds, while Eriobu and Andoy Estrella both chipped in 10 for
MIT.
For Perpetual, which dropped to 11-5, Eze led the way
with 12 points and six boards, while Genmar Ylagan had 10.
The scores:
Mapua 67 – Oraeme 14, Eriobu 10, Estrella 10, Victoria
8, Orquina 6, Isit 5, Menina 5, Raflores 4, Dela Rosa 4, Serrano 1, Bunag 0,
Aguirre 0
Perpetual 63 – Eze 12, Ylagan 10, Hao 9, Dagangon 7,
Mangalino 6, Coronel 5, Sadiwa 5, Yuhico 4, Dizon 3, Pido 2, Gallardo 0,
Oliveria 0, Singontiko 0
Quarterscores: 23-13, 32-37, 50-61, 67-63
Follow him on Twitter: @Teaching_Hero
