Perpetual Help’s Rey Barcuma leads the Altas’ first win in NCAA Season 98. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Perpetual Help recovered from a slow start to cruise past Jose Rizal University, 84-60, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
The Altas managed to pull away from the Heavy Bombers in the second half with a decisive third quarter run, erasing an ugly start where they even trailed by 21-12 to capture the win in their opening game.
“We made a lot of adjustments in the dugout at the half. I told them to relax. We know what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are. All we showed in the first half was our weakness,” Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit said.
After a forgettable first quarter, the Altas unloaded a huge 12-1 run to open the second to take over the lead, 24-22, then sustained their momentum until halftime, 37-36.
But it was early in the third period where Perpetual shook off JRU for good, hiking the lead to nine, 50-41, with a 13-5 run for a 28-point output in the quarter alone.
Perpetual led by as many as 26 points, 84-58, down the stretch.
A fastbreak dunk from JP Boral highlighted the Altas’ dominant payoff period showing but it was Rey Barcuma who showed the way with a career-high 22 points.
Barcuma shot a near pristine 10-for-11 from the field to anchor Perpetual Help. Jielo Razon and Mark Omega added 13 points each in the victory.
Jonathan Medina tallied 15 markers for the Heavy Bombers, who dropped their opening assignment. No other player finished in double digits from their side.
The scores:
Perpetual 84–Barcuma 22, Razon 13, Omega 13, Aurin 7, Roque 5, Ferreras 5, Abis 4, Nitura 4, Egan 2, Boral 2, Martel 2, Nunez 2, Flores 2, Orgo 1, Cuevas 0.
JRU 60–Medina 15, Guiab 9, Arenal 6, Sy 5, Delos Santos 4, Miranda 4, De Jesus 4, Dela Rosa 3, Dionisio 3, Villarin 3, Amores 2, Celis 2, Joson 0, Abaoag 0, Gonzales 0, Tan 0, Famaranco 0. Quarterscores: 12-21, 37-36, 65-51, 84-60