Altas sink Pirates, gain share of 3rd

Allyn Malabanan of LPU accidentally hit the face of Gerald Dizon of UPH. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

PERPETUAL Help found an unlikely hero in Gab Dagangon as it repulsed Lyceum, 65-60, yesterday to climb to a share of third spot in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Dagangon, a rookie from Cotabato City, fired a career-best 14 points, half of which coming in the final period as the Altas grabbed their sixth win in 10 games to tie St. Benilde and Jose Rizal U.

Earl Thompson, the leader in the Most Valuable Player derby, delivered another all-around game, scattering 10 points, grabbing 15 boards and dishing four assists for the Altas, who pulled away with a 23-9 blitz bridging the third and fourth periods.

“I just wanted to make the most out of my time on the floor,” said the 21-year-old Dagangon, who averaged just close to three points entering the game.

“I didn’t want to make mistakes and be the reason why we lose.”

Dagangon’s timely explosion proved to be a welcome sight for coach Aric del Rosario, who has relied heavily on the trio of Thompson, Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda this season.

“He’s a good player, but he still has to gain experience,” said Del Rosario of Dagangon.

The scores:

PERPETUAL HELP 65—Dagangon 14, Alano 14, Baloria 12, Thompson 10, Arboleda 10, Sadiwa 5, Olivera 0, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0, Jolangcob 0.

LYCEUM 60—Zamora 18, Gabayni 14, Baltazar 10, Taladua 9, Lesmoras 5, Mbidda 2, Bulawan 2, Soliman 0, Malabanan 0, Elmejrab 0, Maconocido 0.

Quarters: 14-10, 26-26, 50-40, 65-60