Juneric Baloria of Perpetual tries to squeeze into Ola Adeugun and Kyle Pascual of San Beda to seize the ball. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
ALL PERPETUAL Help had to do was show up at Filoil Flying V Arena yesterday to formally secure its 10th win in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament.
The Altas later notched another victory, this time, at the board room after the NCAA Management Committee junked San Beda’s protest of Perpetual Help’s 76-75 win over the defending champion Red Lions last Monday.
San Beda put the game under protest, claiming that Joel Jolangcob’s three-pointer in the third period should have been nullified since the shot clock had expired when the basket was made.
“After deliberating on the protest of San Beda College and hearing the explanation made by all parties, Mancom decided to deny the protest and affirm the result of the game,” NCAA Mancom chair Paul Supan said.
The decision was based on the recommendation of commissioner Bai Cristobal, who was unavailable for comment.
With only four players eligible for the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals following suspensions to those who were involved in a free-for-all with Mapua last Monday, the Altas won via forfeiture.
Nine EAC players were suspended for their roles in the bench-clearing brawl last Monday, leaving just four—Jerald Serrano, Christ Mejos, Ai Indin and Jozhua General—in the roster.
The Altas, who extended their winning run to three games, improved to 10-6, leapfrogging past the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers (9-6) at fourth spot.
Arellano has the inside track for the second twice-to-beat edge with a 12-4 card.
The Bombers and the San Beda Red Lions meet today in another important duel. The Lions can clinch a twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals with a win.
In the other game, San Sebastian, getting another sterling performance from CJ Perez, snapped a 10-game slide with an emphatic 82-66 triumph over Lyceum in the no-bearing match.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 82—Perez 25, Guinto 18, Ortuoste 10, Yong 8, Balucanag 5, Dela Cruz 4, Pretta 3, Fabian 3, Camasura 3, Mercado 2, Aquino 1, Costelo 0, Santos 0, Calisaan 0.
LYCEUM 66—Bulawan 13, Zamora 11, Mbida 11, Taladua 8, Baltazar 6, Maconocido 5, Elmejrab 5, Gabayni 4, Malabanan 2, Lesmoras 1, Soliman 0, Pamulaklakin 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 53-36, 71-49, 82-66