Akhuetie’s monster game lifts Perpetual past JRU in 2OT

Bright Akhuetie with a throwdown. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Bright Akhuetie unleashed seven points in the second extension as Perpetual eked out a tough 89-80 double overtime victory over Jose Rizal U Friday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Cameroonian big man made sure there won’t be any more overtimes as he dominated in the paint to finish with 28 points and 17 rebounds, leading the Altas’ 11-4 tear in the second OT.

Perpetual improved to 11-4 and secured at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.

“It’s a great win for us,” said coach Jimwell Gican. “Coming from a loss, nabawasan na yung sakit sa dibdib namin dahil ang sama ng pagkatalo namin against Letran.”

Gab Dagangon added a double-double with 15 markers, 11 boards, and three assists, while Daryl Singontiko got 13 points and eight rebounds for the Altas.

“Gusto ko purihin ang mga players, they did their job and they didn’t give up. Nandoon pa rin yung puso nila na gusto nilang manalo,” said Gican.

Tey Teodoro seemed to have sealed the win for the Heavy Bombers after a three gave them a 64-57 lead with a minute and a half left in the fourth. But the Altas fought back, with GJ Ylagan knotting the score with a gutsy three with 23.5 seconds left to end the regulation.

Teodoro once again put JRU in the driver’s seat with a drive, 74-72, in the first OT but Akhuetie was there to tie. Teodoro and Abdul Wahab Abdul Razak could not convert on the other end as the game progressed to another extra time tied at 74.

JRU dropped to 9-7, a full game behind Mapua (9-5) for the number four spot.

Teodoro paced the Heavy Bombers with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Ervin Grospe had 15 markers and five assists in the tough defeat.

The Scores:

PERPETUAL 89 – Akhuetie 28, Dagangon 15, Singontiko 13, Ilagan 10, Coronel 9, Pido 6, Sadiwa 4, Eze 4, Gallardo 0, Dizon 0.
JRU 80 – Teodoro 23, Grospe 15, Dela Virgen 13, Dela Paz 11, Abdulrazak 6, Pontejos 5, Cruz 4, Mendoza 3, Poutouochi 2, Lasquety 0, Astilla 0.

Quarters: 14-11, 27-28, 43-43, 64-64, 74-74, 89-80.