University of Perpetual Help System Dalta finally barged into the win column in Group B after whipping Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 83-72, in Season 102 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. 

Angelo Gelsano had a double-double game of 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Altas bounced back from their opening-day loss to Letran College to improve to 1-1 win-loss record.

LA Casinilio fired a triple with 7:70 left in the fourth quarter and sparked a 9-0 run and turned a slim 62-61 lead into a 71-61 advantage.

The Altas remained in control late, leading 79-67, but the Generals mounted a quick five-point spurt to cut the deficit to 79-72 with 1:57 remaining.

Mark Gojo Cruz then slammed the door on EAC, scoring on a short stab to push Perpetual ahead, 81-72, with 1:47 left.

Gojo Cruz, who finished with 15 points, six assists and four rebounds for Perpetual, swore that they are trained to hold on despite their opponent’s attempts of a comeback.

“We are preparing for all the games we’ll be playing to be really close contests. We’re thankful we were able to do the things we practiced in crunch time,” Gojo Cruz said.

“I’m happy we got the win but I hope we could win some more because there is still a long way to go.”

Casinillo fired 16 points for Perpetual while Juan Tulabut and Maglupay contributed 15 and 11 points, respectively, for Perpetual.

EJ Castillo paced EAC with 19 points and five rebounds in the Generals’ campaign opener while Harvae Raymundo added 17.          Ivan Suing

The scores:

PERPETUAL (83) — Gelsano 17, Casinillo 16, Gojo Cruz 15, Tulabut 15, Maglupay 11, Cristino 4, Pagulayan 3, Duremdes 2, Borja 0, Corpuz 0, Velasquez 0, Cauguiran 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0.

EAC (72) — Castillo 19, H. Raymundo 17, Bagay 11, Oftana 9, Nunag 6, Ochavo 5, M. Raymundo 3, Bonus 2, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Coronel 0, Mundas 0, Luna 0.

QUARTERS: 19-17, 42-36, 58-54, 83-72.