BRIGHT Akhuetie tallied 15 points and Gab Dangagon added 12 as the University of Perpetual Help Altas put away the winless College of St. Benilde Blazers, 70-45, on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.
This handed the Altas their ninth triumph in 13 games in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, putting them in contention for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals.
They are now close behind the Arellano University Chiefs, who have a 9-2 slate in second place.
The Altas’ zone defense forced the Blazers to 11 turnovers in the second half. They outrebounded them, 19-11, in their effort to bounce back from a 55-71 setback they suffered at the hands of the San Sebastian Stags last week.
“Galing kami sa talo. So kailangan gawin ng lahat ang tama. Sa defense, at least 90 percent at umayos naman,” said Altas coach Jimwell Gican.
Ardy Dizon had 11 points, while Prince Eze made 10 for the Altas, who led by as much as 31 points.
In another senior game, the Arellano University Chiefs, led by Jiovani Jalalon with 21 points, repeated comebacks to turn back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-74, and catch up with the San Beda Red Lions in the lead with their 10-2 slate.
The Generals turned the ball over six times and scored only one of two charities in the last three minutes, allowing the Chiefs to escape with a nine-point lead at endgame.
In the junior division, the Mapua Red Robins and the La Salle Greenhills Greenies posted contrasting victories and stayed on track for Final Four semifinal berths.
Jasper Salenga led three others in double-digits as he fired 21 points for the Red Robins, who smashed the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 92-82.
The Greenies banked on the big plays of Unique Naboa in the last period to repulse the Letran Squires, 71-69.
The Robins stayed behind co-leaders, the Arellano Braves and the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs, after clinching their 10th win in 12 matches.
Salenga, who fought off cramps in the last period, struck hardest in the first half, making eight in the first period as he led the Red Robins to a 27-18 edge.
Then, he combined for 16 points with Romuel Junsay as they widened their edge to 13, 53-40, at halftime.
Naboa bailed the Greenies out of trouble with his winning drive from the right side in the last 52.9 seconds.
It was a close call for the Greenies, who fought their way out of a 24-point deficit as they leaned on Naboa, who shot 9 of 18 points in the last period.
“We dug ourselves a deep hole. Kagagawan namin ito. Buti na lang, nakabawi,” said LSGH coach Marvin Bienvenida.
Games Today
(The Arena in San Juan)
12 nn San Sebastian vs Mapua
2 p.m. Lyceum vs JRU
4 p.m. Letran vs San Beda