Perpetual gets share of no.2; EAC snaps 5-game skid

FILE – Perpetual Help’s Bright Akhuetie hurt his shoulder late in the second quarter of the Altas’ lopsided win over the Lyceum Pirates Tuesday night. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER,net

Perpetual Help drew strength from Bright Akhuetie and a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter as it survived Lyceum, 71-68, Friday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at the Arena.

The victory put the Altas at a second place tie with Letran and Mapua, who all have 5-2 records, and just two games behind solo leader San Beda.

Struggling most of the game, Akhuetie imposed his will in the final period as he banged in 10 of his 13 points while the Altas held the Pirates scoreless in the first six minutes of the quarter.

“It was our defense that helped us and we never gave up,” said Perpetual Help coach Gimwell Gican in Filipino. “Bright (Akhuetie) also stepped up big even though he struggled almost the whole game.”

The Pirates had one last chance to tie the game and force overtime but Shaq Alanes, who drained a triple the play before, couldn’t hit a three-pointer at the buzzer this time as they saw their three-game streak halted and dropped to 3-4.

Gab Dagangon led the Altas with 16 points.

Mike Nzeusseu, a Cameroonian transferee outplayed Akhuetie in the first three quarters but tired out in the end as the latter came in fresher after he split time with fellow Nigerian Prince Eze.

Nzeusseu finished the game with 18 points, 11 boards and four blocks.

Earlier, Remy Morada came through in the fourth quarter as Emilio Aguinaldo overcame San Sebastian, 73-67, to snap out of a five-game losing slide.

Morada fired seven of his 18 points in the final quarter to help the Generals seal their second win in seven starts.

While Morada did the scoring, his Cameroonian teammate Hamadou Laminou did the rest and finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.

The Stags skidded to 1-6.

The Scores

First Game
EAC 73- Laminou 18, Morada 18, Onwubere 13, King 9, Corilla 5, Munsayac 4, Serrano 4, Neri 2, Diego 0, Guzman 0, Pascua 0
San Sebastian 67- Calisaan 15, Ilagan 11, Bulanadi 7, Serajosef 7, Capobres 6, Mercado 6, Costelo 4, Fabian 4, Gayosa 3, Baetiong 2, Quipse 2, Johnson 0, Valdez 0
Quarters: 13-21; 30-38; 53-51; 73-67

Second Game
Perpetual Help 71- Dagangon 16, Akhuetie 13, Eze 10, Pido 10, Coronel 7, Sadiwa 6, Oliveria 4, Singontiko 3, Hao 2, Dizon 0, Yuhico 0
LPU 68- Nzeusseu 18, Ayaay 15, Alban 8, Alanes 7, Caduyac 7, Marata 3, Serafico 2, Malabanan 0, Rubite 0
Quarters: 19-21; 36-40; 54-55; 71-68