Perpetual Help’s Art Roque leads Altas past FEU Tamaraws in the Filoil Preseason cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Perpetual Help set up a Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup semifinals date against University of the Philippines after squeaking past Far Eastern University, 74-73, at San Juan Arena on Friday.
The Altas had to go through a neck-and-neck affair to advance but coach Myk Saguiguit said that these types of games are what they desperately need heading into NCAA Season 99.
“Actually, this is really the type of game we’re looking for. My previous Altas team drowns right away when they trail the game and with this win, (our) Season 99 form is slowly showing up,” Saguiguit said in Filipino.
“In this game, I saw the will and confidence of all my players. I saw that when it comes in the clutch, they can play.”
Art Roque spearheaded Perpetual Help to the victory with a stellar outing of 27 points and six rebounds. JP Boral also showed up on both sides of the court with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Aeron Bagunu top-scored for the Tamaraws with 14 points in only 11 minutes of play while Chiolo Añonuevo tallied a double-double to the tune of 12 markers and 11 boards in a losing effort.
The Fighting Maroons earlier punched their ticket to the semis after blowing past Lyceum, 86-66, on Thursday.
Saguiguit, however, is not putting much pressure on his wards, saying he is only looking at the fact that they got to the preseason’s Final Four, for now.
“The only thing I’m looking at against UP is our achievement that we got to the first semis here (preseason).”
Perpetual Help and UP will clash for a Finals seat on Monday at the same venue.