Baloria sizzles as Perpetual trips Letran

A battle for the rebound between Earl Thomson and Juneric Baloria of Perpetual with Letran’s Rey Nambatac , at the San Juan arena. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

JUNERIC Baloria exploded for a season-high 32 points as Perpetual Help slipped past Letran, 85-82, in a shootout for the ages yesterday in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The left-handed gunner knocked in eight of his team’s last 10 points as the Altas finally prevailed to gain a share of third place at 5-3 after an enthralling stretch where both teams traded big shots.

Finally finding his range after a rough start this season, Baloria accounted for six of the Altas’ season-high 14 triples, the last one coming with 1:33 remaining to put the Altas within 78-79.

After Letran guard Mark Cruz sank a triple to push the lead back to four, Baloria answered with a three-point play, before banking in the go-ahead basket with 19 seconds remaining.

The Knights failed to score on the next play and Joel Jolangcob picked up the rebound and was fouled for two free throws with 2.9 seconds left that set the final count.

“If we lost, it would have been my fault,” said Baloria, referring to his crucial turnover that led to Rey Nambatac’s two straight treys. “I had to make up for those mistakes.”

The win was a fitting response to the Altas’ 75-77 loss to the San Beda Red Lions on Wednesday.

Justin Alano had 15 points and eight boards, while Harold Arboleda fired 14 points, built on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc for the Altas, who overcame an early 14-point deficit. Earl Thompson continued his solid play with 11 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Nambatac finally delivered a breakthrough performance with 23 points, including 11 in the final period.

The scores:

PERPETUAL HELP 85—Baloria 32, Alano 15, Arboleda 14, Thompson 11, Ylagan 6, Jolangcob 5, Dizon 2, Oliveria 0, Dagangon 0.

LETRAN 82—Nambatac 23, Racal 14, Cruz 12, Gabawan 10, Ruaya 9, Tambeling 9, Quinto 5, Castro 0, Luib 0, Singontiko 0, Publico 0.

Quarters: 17-30, 40-45, 65-59, 85-82