Long out of contention, the cellar-dwelling Altas put a dent on the Knights’ twice-to-beat ambitions with a stunning 68-53 reversal Monday in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Altas used a searing run in the third period, then finished off the Knights with key baskets from Chris Elopre and Earl Thompson in the final period to nail only their fourth victory in 17 games.
“We knew that Letran will play physical, but my players kept fighting and trusting our system,” said Perpetual Help coach Jimwell Gican, whose Altas came tantalizingly close to an upset against San Sebastian two weeks ago until Thompson missed a floater at the buzzer to preserve the Stags’ 77-76 win.
Mapua, powered by rookies Josan Nimes and Yousef Taha, ended a three-game skid with a 98-73 crushing of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The Cardinals caught up with Jose Rizal U at fourth spot with a 7-9 record.
Aside from snapping an eight-game winning run, the loss could have heavy ramifications for Letran, which is bidding to claim the other twice-to-beat berths in the Final Four.
The Knights slid to third after dropping to 12-3. “It’s not the end for us,” said Knights coach Louie Alas. “I just think we played very flat today.”
The scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 68—Vidal 18, Alano 10, Elopre 10, Paulino 8, Allen 7, Thompson 5, Sumera 5, Jolangcob 3, Asuncion 2, Arboleda 0, Sison 0.
LETRAN 53—Espiritu 14, Cortes 11, Alas K. 9, Dysam 5, Almazan 4, Belorio 4, Racal 3, Alas J. 2, Mendoza 1, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 33-28, 53-44, 68-53
Second Game
MAPUA 98—Nimes 22, Taha 19, Chien 8, Ranises 8, Mangahas 7, Ighalo 6, Parala 6, Pascual 5, Banal 4, Stevens 4, Sarangay 3, Magsigay 2, Cantos 2, Abad 2.
EAC 73—Jamon 27, Torralba 14, Vargas 10, Cubo 8, Paguia 5, Morada 5, Yaya 2, Chiong 2, Diolanto 0, King 0.
Quarters: 20-12, 45-29, 66-59, 98-73