Carlos Isit of Mapua INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Mapua coach Atoy Co wasn’t joking when he said Perpetual Help will be facing a different Mapua squad than the one the Altas clobbered two months ago.
Tenacious on both ends of the floor, the Cardinals delivered on their coach’s promise with an impressive 91-81 victory over the Altas yesterday in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
It was a stunning reversal considering the fact that the Altas overwhelmed the Cardinals, 91-57, in their first round meeting.
“I think they took us for granted in the first half and when they started to realize that we’re in the game, it was too late,” said Co. “When they realized that we were fighting, they got rattled. I’m very proud of my boys.”
The Cardinals played with renewed vigor and swagger that they hardly showed early in the season on their way to improving their record to 4-10 with their third straight victory.
Their second straight loss put the Altas in a precarious position at fifth spot with an 8-6 slate, a full game behind the fourth-running St. Benilde Blazers (9-5).
Perpetual managed to climb its way from a 60-65 deficit to grab a 71-67 lead despite guard Earl Thompson’s five-minute absence due to a cut that he sustained from a collision with teammate Harold Arboleda.
But small guards Leo Gabo, Exeqiel Biteng and CJ Isit played big roles in the closing minutes while neutralizing the Altas guards.
Leo Gabo anchored the Cardinals’ strong start with 11 of his 23 points in the first period, while Joseph Eriobu added 13 points, including eight in the second quarter.
Scores:
MAPUA 91—Gabo 23, Isit 21, Eriobu 13, Cantos 12, Biteng 9, Estrella 7, Saitanan 6, Tubiano 0, Villasenor 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 81—Thompson 20, Baloria 19, Alano 14, Arboleda 11, Dagangon 8, Jolangcob 5, Ylagan 2, Pido 2, Oliveria 0, Dizon 0, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0.
Quarters: 28-26, 47-40, 65-60, 91-81