Perpetual clips Arellano, tops group

Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

12 p.m. — Saint Benilde vs JRU

2:30 p.m. — Mapua vs San Sebastian

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta won its fourth straight game after a hard-fought 72-67 victory over Arellano University in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mark Gojo Cruz went 5-of-7 from the field with 13 points and four rebounds as the Altas posted its best start since Season 91 in 2015.

The last time Perpetual Help got off to a 4-0 start was when the likes of Gab Dagangon, Bright Akhuetie and Scottie Thompson were still in the Grand Old League.

Altas head coach Olsen Racela praised his squad for finding a way to come out on top.

“I like the way they are responding. They believe in our system that I put in,” said Racela, who is currently an assistant coach for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“We’re not as talented as the other teams so we have to make it up through other things.”

Despite the win, the former San Miguel Beer guard insists they can’t slow down just yet as they will face the teams in Group B, which has San Beda University, Letran College, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

“It’s great but it’s not about how you start. We beat the teams in our group and we’re going to face the teams in the other group that are believed to be stronger so let’s see what happens,” Racela said.

The Altas had to repulse Arellano in the fourth quarter to emerge victorious.

The Chiefs went on a 12-3 run, capped by a layup by T-Mc Ongotan with 1:32 remaining to cut Perpetual’s 11-point lead to two points, 65-67.

A layup by Patrick Sleat with 1:07 left in the game sparked Perpetual’s 6-0 run to put the game to bed.

Sleat, a former Far Eastern University guard, finished with 12 points, three rebounds and three blocks for the Altas while Josiah Alcantara dropped 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Ongotan scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds, four steals and two assists but it wasn’t enough as Arellano dropped to a 1-2 slate.

Meanwhile, Letran College finally put an end to its three-game losing streak after escaping Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 84-80, in the first game.

Deo Cuajao erupted for 23 points as the Knights improved to a 1-3 slate in Group B.

“I told them it will be a challenging season for us. All the teams will give us a hard time,” Knights head coach Allen Ricardo said.

“Whoever has a great game, we would back him up and by getting this first win, we improve little by little.”

Holding onto an 81-76 lead with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Cuajao sank a crucial layup to put the game in the bag.

Kyle Ochavo sank two free throws for EAC with 15 ticks left to cut the lead back to five, 78-83, but time was running out.

Jimboy Estrada split his free throws with nine seconds left to keep the game out of reach.

Kevin Santos finished with 15 points behind a 5-of-8 shooting from the field for Letran while grabbing four rebounds.

Jonathan Manalili had a double-double game for Letran with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Aaron Buensalida also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards.

Nico Quinal and Wilmar Oftana scored 16 points each in the Generals’ loss as they crashed to a 1-2 mark.