Perpetual falls to Lyceum, but still earns semis berth
Games Tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan) 2 p.m. – San Sebastian vs EAC (Srs.) 4 p.m. – Mapua vs St. Benilde (Srs.)
University of Perpetual Help was both a loser and a winner in yesterday’s NCAA basketball tournament. The Altas suffered a shock 64-61 defeat to the Lyceum Pirates at The Arena in San Juan, but were still able to secure a place in the Final Four, thanks to the league-leading Arellano University Chiefs.
Arellano extended its hold of the top spot while moving a win shy of a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis after beating Jose Rizal University, 79-68, in the second game.
Benefiting from Arellano’s victory was Mapua, which closed in on complete the Final Four cast after 77-72 triumph over defending champion Letran.
Arellano leads the pack with a 13-3 record, followed by idle San Beda at 12-4. Perpetual dropped to 11-5 after the loss, failing to forge a tie for second place, while Mapua improved to 10-5.
JRU absorbed its second straight defeat and dropped two games behind Mapua for fourth at 9-8. The Cardinals are favored to secure a place in the semis tomorrow against the winless College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Letran, on the other hand, was eliminated from the Final Four after falling to 8-9, becoming the first defending champion since the same school failed to catch the last bus in 2000.
Reymar Caduyac scored nine of his 15 points in the payoff period, including the go-ahead free throw that broke a 61-all tie with 30 seconds left, as Lyceum stunned the fancied Perpetual side.
The victory did not improve Lyceum’s overall ranking nor its Final Four bid, but it was a big morale booster for a team already looking forward to next year’s campaign.
Kent Salado scored 22 points and Jio Jalalon added 18 in Arellano’s mastery of JRU while Allwell Oraeme made 21 points to power Mapua past Letran. X-clinched Final Four berth
Caduyac 15, Nzeusseu 11, Alban 8, Bulawan 6, Alanes 6, Gabayni 6, Rubite 5, Ayaay 2, Marata 2, Serafico 2, Malabanan 1, Baltazar 0, Soliman 0. Akhuetie 21, Dagangon 11, Coronel 8, Ylagan 6, Singontiko 5, Pido 5, Sadiwa 3, Gallardo 2, Eze 0, Dizon 0. Quarters: 12-17; 27-24; 43-43; 64-61.
Salado 22, Jalalon 18, Gumaru 11, Flores 7, Enriquez 6, Nichols 6, Aguilar 3, Cadavis 2, Canete 2, Holts 2, Meca 0, Viloria 0. Pontejos 24, De la Paz 15, Poutouochi 14, Teodoro 10, Cruz 2, Grospe 2, Lasquety 1, Astilla 0, De la Virgen 0, Mendoza 0, Salaveria 0. Quarters: 24-17; 41-34; 59-50; 79-68. Oraeme 21, Eriobu 12, Menina 12, Aguirre 12, Victoria 9, Isit 6, Bunag 3, Estrella 2, Orquina 0, Raflores 0, Serrano 0. Nambatac 19, Quinto 16, Sollano 10, Calvo 10, Balanza 10, Luib 3, Apreku 2, Ambohot 2, Dela Pena 0, Balagasay 0, Ular 0. Quarters: 15-7; 39-29; 60-49; 77-72.