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| JM Tulabut gets a high five after executing a play. NCAA |
SAN JUAN, MM—Perpetual Help barged into the win column of Group B after defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College 83-72 in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at FilOil Centre on Thursday.
The Altas recovered from their opening day loss at the hands of Letran to hike their record to 1-1 for the young season.
Perpetual led by just a point in the early goings of the fourth quarter, 62-61, before going on a 9-0 rally capped off by a Rey Maglupay triple at the 6:02 mark for a 71-61 advantage.
The Altas were on cruise control in the latter part of the payoff period, 79-67, but the Generals went on a quick five-point spurt to cut the deficit to seven, 79-72, with 1:57 remaining.
Mark Gojo Cruz, however, nailed the door shut on the Generals with a short stab to put Perpetual up for good, 81-72, with 1:47 left in the game.
“Nagpe-prepare kami na lahat ng games na ilalaban namin ay dikitan talaga,” Gojo Cruz said after dropping 15 points, six assists, and four rebounds in the win.
“Thankful kami na kung ano ’yong tina-trabaho namin sa practice, nagawa namin sa crunch time. Thankful kami na nanalo kami pero sana tuloy-tuloy pa kasi mahaba pa ‘tong season.”
Angelo Gelsano led the Altas in scoring with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. LA Casinillo followed suit with 16 to his name while Juan Tulabut and Maglupay scored 15 and 11, respectively, in the dub.
EJ Castillo finished with 19 markers and five boards in EAC’s campaign-opening loss. Harvae Raymundo scattered 17 points in the defeat.
THE SCORES:
Perpetual Help 83 - Gelsano 17, Casinillo 16, Gojo Cruz 15, Tulabut 15, Maglupay 11, Cristino 4, Pagulayan 3, Duremdes 2, Borja 0, Corpuz 0, Velasquez 0, Cauguiran 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0
EAC 72 - Castillo 19, H. Raymundo 17, Bagay 11, Oftana 9, Nunag 6, Ochavo 5, M. Raymundo 3, Bonus 2, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Coronel 0, Mundas 0, Luna 0
Quarters: 19-17, 42-36, 58-54, 83-72
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