Aric, Altas seize share of NC lead; Stags score

SAN Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva (right) tries to drive as St. Benilde’s Carlo Lastimosa attempts a steal. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

FLASHING the endgame poise that had gone missing in recent seasons, Perpetual Help stunned Letran, 69-66, last night to grab a piece of the lead in the 88th NCAA mens basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Determined to turn their fortunes around after a string of finishes near the bottom of the pack the past few years, the Altas finished with a flourish to tie the Jose Rizal U Bombers on top with their second straight win.

“The players are just hungry to win,” said Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario in Filipino. “I came back to coaching because of them and they are responding well.”

Earlier, San Sebastian pulled off a scrambling 95-93 victory over St. Benilde for its first win.

Playing with reckless abandon, Abueva pumped in 23 points and matched a career-high 23 rebounds as the Stags evened their card at 1-1.

The Senior scores:

First Game

SAN SEBASTIAN 95—Abueva 23, Pascual 20, Sangalang 19, Dela Cruz 16, Antipuesto 8, Rebullos 5, Juico 4, Vitug 0, Miranda 0, Maiquez 0.

ST. BENILDE 93—Tolentino 20, Lastimosa 19, Taha 17, Romero 14, Sinco 10, Tan 5, Bartolo 2, Maconocido 2, Grey 2, Ongteco 2, Deles 0, Dela Paz 0.

Quarters: 22-27, 46-53, 73-69, 95-93

Second Game

PERPETUAL 69—Thompson 14, Jolangcob 11, Vidal 9, Allen 7, Paulino 6, Babayemi 6, Omorogbe 4, Elopre 4, Alano 4, Arboleda 4.

LETRAN 66—K. Alas 15, Cortes 14, Cruz 9, Belorio 9, Almazan 6, Lituania 5, Racal 4, Gabawan 3, Luib 1, J. Alas 0.

Quarters: 15-18, 31-34, 51-50, 69-66