Perpetual Altas survive 2nd half scare, deny Generals of home win

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by Mark Mañez

Paco, Manila - Perpetual Help Altas survived a late EAC Generals scare as they pipped out a wiry 76-74 at the EAC Sports and Cultural Center, Thursday afternoon.

High-scoring point guard Edgar Charcos sizzled their hosts offensively as he notched up 22 points (15 in the first half), 1 rebound 3 assists and 2 steals, helping his team hike up their record to 2-1.

Nigerian reinforcement Prince Eze came one block away from a triple-double as he posted 15 points, 22 rebounds, 2 assists and 9 blocks, including a vicious denial on Hamadou Laminou's dunk attempt.

"Medyo maganda pakiramdam. Mahirap kalabanin ang home team.," said Altas tactician Frankie Lim. "Limiting their [scoring] options has always been in our sets. Hopefully we do the same thing on the [Lyceum] Pirates next game," he further added.

The Generals had the chance to steal the game from their guests as Maui Cruz and Jerome Garcia knocked in clutch baskets, trimming the lead to 1 with 12 ticks left. Both finished with a combined 35-point, 7-rebound, 3-assist, 3 steal effort for a losing cause.

Kim Aurin plunged the last nail on the coffin for the Altas, setting up the wild finish. He came in 2 dimes and a carom shy of a rare triple double while unloading 12 markers in 37 minutes.

Garcia ignited a furious Generals fightback, flipping a 34-38 halftime deficit to lead 46-38 early in the second half. The Altas, meanwhile, countered with their own 7-0 blitz tying the score with under two minutes in the third.

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