Altas, Blazers boost NCAA Final Four bid

LETRAN’S Rey Publico (left) collars the rebound against Justine Alano of Perpetual. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Perpetual Help and St. Benilde hammered out hard-earned victories Wednesday to boost their Final Four hopes in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Altas survived a late scare from the Letran Knights in a narrow 67-64 victory before the Blazers dumped the Lyceum Pirates, 74-66, to stay in step with Perpetual Help at third spot. Perpetual Help and St. Benilde improved to 7-4, while putting a dent on the aspirations of the Knights and Pirates to reach the Final Four. Letran took its seventh loss in 11 games, while Lyceum fell to its second straight defeat and dropped to 5-6.

“We just grabbed the opportunity to slightly go up from the lower teams (in the standings),” said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco, whose squad is bracing for a tougher challenge on Saturday when the Blazers meet the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.

Paolo Taha continued his superb play with 26 points built on 8-of-16 shooting and nine boards as the Blazers delivered a strong second half performance against a Lyceum squad that missed coach Bonnie Tan due to a medical emergency.

Mark Romero, who was also picked in the third round of the PBA Draft just like Taha, also made his presence felt with 18 points, including 15 in a tightly contested first half that ended in a 38-38 deadlock.

First Game

PERPETUAL HELP 67—Baloria 18, Thompson 16, Arboleda 10, Jolangcob 10, Alano 8, Dagangon 5, Tamayo 0, Gallardo 0, Sadiwa 0, Lucente 0.

LETRAN 64—Racal 18, Cruz 16, Tambeling 8, Nambatac 8, Gabawan 5, Luib 3, Quinto 3, Publico 2, Ruaya 1, Apreku 0, Singontiko 0.

Quarters: 16-21, 38-37, 59-51, 67-64

ST. BENILDE 74—Taha 26, Romero 18, Grey 13, Sinco 4, Jonson 3, Bartolo 3, Ongteco 3, Nayve 2, Saavedra 2, Pajarillaga 0, Altamirano 0.

LYCEUM 66—Baltazar 17, Mbida 15, Gabayni 11, Taladua 8, Zamora 6, Bulawan 4, Lesmoras 3, Malabanan 2, Maconocido 0.

Quarters: 22-28, 36-38, 55-54, 74-66