PERPETUAL Help drew strength from Bright Akhuetie and a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter as it survived Lyceum of the Philippines University, 71-68, to seize a share of second place with reigning titlist Letran and Mapua in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Struggling most of the game, Akhuetie imposed his will in the final period as he banged in 10 of his 13 points in the quarter, while the Altas held the Pirates scoreless in the first six minutes of the same canto to help them snare their third straight win and fifth overall against two losses.
More importantly, it sent the Las Pinas-based dribblers from joint No. 4 with Arellano University to a share of No. 2 with Mapua and Letran, or just two games behind solo leader San Beda.
“It was our defense that helped us and we never gave up,” said Perpetual Help coach Gimwell Gican in Filipino. “Bright (Akhuetie) also stepped up big even though he struggled almost the whole game.”
Earlier, Remy Morada came through in the fourth quarter as Emilio Aguinaldo overcame San Sebastian, 73-67, to snap out of a five-game losing slide.
Morada fired seven of his 18 points in the final quarter to help the Generals seal their second win in seven starts.
While Morada did the scoring, his Cameroonian teammate Hamadou Laminou did the rest and finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.
The Stags skidded to 1-6.
In the third game, Arellano University overwhelmed St. Benilde, 70-59, to likewise grab a piece of second spot.
The Blazers slid to their eighth loss.
Games Monday
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m.- Arellano U vs San Beda (jrs)
12:45 p.m.- Perpetual Help vs LPU (jrs)
2:30 p.m.- San Sebastian vs EAC (jrs)