Perpetual Help coach Jimwell Gican. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Perpetual’s defense came through late as it clamped down on Arellano for a wire-to-wire 76-62 victory Thursday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Gab Dagangon carried the Altas with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Bright Akhuetie towered over the opposition with a double-double of 15 markers, 12 boards, and a rejection.
Perpetual cut Arellano’s seven-game winning streak and put itself at joint second with the Chiefs, both carrying an identical 10-3 slate.
Perpetual held the Chiefs to just three points for over five minutes in the fourth to break away and hold a 64-53 lead with 4:50 remaining.
“Talagang nagsunog kami ng kilay para kahit paano manalo,” said coach Jimwell Gican. “Buti naman maganda ang naging outcome. Yung preparation namin, sobrang haba. Yung mga players, gusto ko ibigay yung credit sa kanila kasi naniwala sila sa game plan. May konting lapses pa rin, pero nandoon pa rin yung gameplan namin.”
Daryl Singontiko also went hot from three in a 3-of-7 shooting for 13 points and eight rebounds, while Keith Pido got 10 markers, seven assists, and four boards for the Altas.
Kent Salado topped Arellano with 22 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Jiovani Jalalon wound up with 19 markers, five boards, and four dimes as the Chiefs saw their lowest scoring output of the season at 62 points.
The Scores:
PERPETUAL 76 – Dagangon 22, Akhuetie 15, Singontiko 13, Pido 10, Coronel 9, Eze 3, Dizon 2, Gallardo 2, Sadiwa 0, Hao 0, Ylagan 0.
ARELLANO 62 – Salado 22, Jalalon 19, Flores 6, Cadavis 6, Holts 4, Meca 2, Villoria 2, Canete 1, Nicholls 0, Enriquez 0, Gumaru 0, Rivera 0.
Quarters: 18-7, 35-27, 54-48, 76-62.