NCAA upset: Altas trip Blazers

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help ended a five-game losing streak in style as it stunned College of Saint Benilde, 63-57, for only its second win in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

Saddled by injuries and absence of key players due to eligibility issues, the hardworking Altas came through with a big fourth quarter performance to get back on the winning track anew.

Jet Vidal had another awful shooting, but made up for it with his timely shots in the payoff period even as undersized center Justin Alano and Anthony Paulino produced solid performances on both ends as the Las Piñas-based cagers handed the Blazers another crushing setback.

Despite a dismal 6-of-23 shooting, it was Vidal who made the big shots in the game as he broke a 51-all deadlock with a jumper then fired a three-point shot that made it 58-51 with 1:08 remaining. He had three treys to finish with 19 points.

Alano and Paulino, on the other hand, each registered 10 points and 10 rebounds as Perpetual Help improved to 2-9.

“Nakatsamba,” said a jubilant coach Jimwell Gican, whose team’s other win came on July 25 when it defeated Jose Rizal University, 79-77, in triple overtime.

Still in dead last in the 10-team cagefest, Perpetual has been hounded by injuries to the likes of returnees George Allen and Joel Jolangcob coupled with the absence of Marlon Gomez and Paul Nuillan due to eligibility concern.

The defeat was a big blow to St. Benilde’s Final Four aspiration.

The Scores:

PERPETUAL 63 – Vidal 19, Alano 10, Paulino 10, Allen 8, Elopre 5, Sumera 4, Arboleda 3, Jolangcob 2, Tonggal 2, Thompson 0, Sison 0, Asuncion 0.

ST. BENILDE 56 – Taha 13, Lastimosa 12, Grey 12, Sinco 8, Romero 6, McCoy 3, de la Paz 3, Tan 0, Altamirano 0, Nayve 0.

Quarters: 11-16; 20-29; 38-39; 63-57.