Altas, Knights continue surge

Perpetual Help continued its winning ways by fending off Jose Rizal University, 85-73, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

AJ Coronel led the lopsided victory with a career-high 22 points, 15 of those scored in the first quarter, while Prince Eze saved his best for last with 10 of his 16 points coming in the fourth period to power Perpetual, which joined College of St. Benilde in fourth place with an 8-5 record.

“As long as we continue our roll we’ll be in good shape,” said coach Frankie Lim, whose squad is coming off an 83-81 stunner over top seed Lyceum on Friday.

The Altas led from start to finish but the Heavy Bombers didn’t go down easily with Jed Mendoza and Leo Esguerra keeping them in the fight.

Mendoza finished with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists while Esguerra added 21 points and eight rebounds for tailender JRU, which is out of the running at 2-12.

Jelo Razon also had 21 points while Edgar Charcos dished out eight assists with four points for Perpetual.

In the opener, role players picked up the slack offensively to lift Letran past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 92-81.

Rookie Coy Galvelo and Jeremiah Taladua stepped up with 15 points apiece while Fran Yu added 13 as the three gave the Knights an offensive lift with main hitters Bong Quinto and JP Calvo struggling.

The scores:

First Game

PERPETUAL 85—Coronel 22, Razon 21, Eze 16, Aurin 5, Jimenez 5, Charcos 4, Cuevas 4, Mangalino 3, Tamayo 3, Pasia 2, Peralta 0.

JRU 73—Mendoza 22, Esguerra 21, Estrella 10, Aguilar 8, Dela Virgen 3, Mallari 3, David 2, Doromal 2, Silvarez 0, Bordon 0, Padua 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 40-36, 67-56, 85-73