Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Perpetual Help came through in the clutch and silenced host Mapua University, 63-60, in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Mapua University Gym Thursday.
AJ Coronel came through in the final couple of minutes for the Altas, hitting a crucial triple to give Perpetual a 60-56 lead at the 1:22 mark of the fourth quarter.
“He [Coronel] hit the big shots in the end and we made key stops in the dying seconds and those things helped us get the win,” said Perpetual assistant coach Jimwell Gican in Filipino.
GJ Ylagan had a game-high 13 points to lead the Altas but it was the 6-foot-11 Prince Eze who did much of the dirty work with 11 points and 21 rebounds.
The Altas had a comfortable 49-40 lead heading into the fourth but a slew of turnovers allowed the Cardinals to storm back and mount a 14-2 run to take a 54-51 lead with 4:05 left in the game.
Leo Gabo had a team-high 12 points to lead the Cardinals.