NCAA: Out-of-it Altas, Knights bow out in style

MANILA, Philippines–Getting big games from George Allen and Jet Vidal, Perpetual Help ended a rather forgettable season with back-to-back victories after stunning Arellano, 66-61, yesterday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Letran also ended the season on a winning note by dumping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 68-47, in the first game. 

The Altas built a 17-point bubble in the third period, then held off a rally by the Chiefs in the last five minutes as they finished the season tied for last place with the Generals at 2-14.

Allen shot 18 points, 15 coming in the first half, while Vidal finished with 14, including a triple that gave the Altas a 62-54 cushion with a minute remaining.

“We just wanted to go out with a bang,” said Perpetual Help coach Boris Aldeguer, who rued the pre-tournament disqualification of big men Marlon Gomez and Paul Nuylan.

Meanwhile, Perpetual Help trounced Arellano U, 69-54, to clinch the juniors division No. 3 seed with a 10-6 record, even as Letran subdued EAC, 72-58, to forge at least a playoff for the last Final Four berth with a 9-7 card.

The senior scores

First Game
LETRAN 68—Cortes 15, Belencion 15, Kr. Alas 12, Dysam 6, Belorio 5, Taplah 5, Ke. Alas 5, Almazan 4, Alejandro 1, Espiritu 0, Rodil 0, Ang 0
EAC 47—Mendoza 9, Cubo 8, Vargas 8, Chiong 6, Jamon 5, Tuazon 4, R. Yaya 3, Lapitan 2, Diolanto 2, Sanchez 0, Villegas 0
Quarters: 20-12, 37-23, 57-38, 68-47
Second Game
PERPETUAL 66—Allen 18, Vidal 14, Danganan 9, Alano 8, Kintanar 6, Arboleda 4, Sumera 4, Asuncion 2, Elopre 1, Ynion 0, Jolangcob 0. 
ARELLANO 61—Celada 16, Ciriacruz 11, Casino 10, Lapuz 9, Acidre 8, Palma 2, Zulueta 2, Caperal 2, Advincula 1, Del Rosario 0, Santos 0, Virtudazo 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 33-27, 50-37, 66-61