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| Mark Gojo Cruz helped Perpetual Help make a return to the NCAA Final Four. NCAA |
MANILA––Perpetual Help clinched the first spot in the NCAA men's basketball semifinals after eliminating Jose Rizal University, 81-74, in their quarterfinal duel at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Thursday.
The Altas, though, needed to withstand one last gasp from the Heavy Bombers to escape with the win.
Leading from start to finish, Perpetual Help led by as much as 16, 59-43, late in the third quarter, but JRU slowly fought back and was just down three, 70-73, with 1:55 left in the fourth.
The Heavy Bombers had a chance to tie the game after forcing a shotclock violation on the Altas, but Sean Salvador and Justin Lozano missed back-to-back three-pointers.
Patrick Sleat then scored on a driving layup to put Perpetual Help up by five again, 75-70, while the team's tough defense forced Allan Laurenaria to miss a layup of his own.
John Abis essentially sealed the Altas' win by making two clutch free throws as both teams exchanged baskets in the end.
Mark Gojo Cruz led Perpetual Help, which will face whoever wins the knockout duel on Friday between Arellano and Letran in the Final Four, with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Sleat added 14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals.
Salvador ended a sensational rookie campaign for JRU with 18 points, two rebounds, and four assists, while Laurenaria added 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals.
The scores:
PERPETUAL HELP 81 РGojo Cruz 23, Sleat 14, Orgo 10, Abis 9, Boral 7, Nu̱ez 6, Casinilio 4, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 2, Tulabut 2, Gelsano 2, Maglupay 0, Pagulayan 0
JRU 74 – Salvador 18, Laurenaria 16, Lozano 11, Panapanaan 8, Duque 6, Argente 4, Garupil 4, Castillo 3, Benitez 2, Sarmiento 2, Herrera 0
Quarterscores: 22-16, 41-37, 63-51, 81-74
