UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help snapped out of a two-game stupor and prevailed over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-67, Saturday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the EcoOil FilOil Arena.
Rising star Mark Gojo Cruz was again at the forefront of the Altas’ attack, scoring 13 of his game-high 18 points in the second half when the team finally pulled away in the highly-physical encounter.
Back-to-back baskets by the rookie guard and a layup by Shawn Orgo gave Perpetual a 62-47 lead from where Emilio Aguinaldo never recovered.
Gojo Cruz also had five rebounds, six assists, and three block shots in another all-around performance for the Altas, who improved to a 3-2 record after coming off back-to-back losses against title contenders Mapua and the undefeated College of St. Benilde.
Christian Pagaran and Cedrick Abis added 15 and 11 for the team of coach Olsen Racela, which enjoyed its biggest lead at 70-54.
The Generals suffered a third loss in five outings as they couldn’t sustain the same form that enabled them to beat defending champion San Beda, 68-55, for the very first time in NCAA history.
Missing a total of 21 free throws also didn’t help the cause of the Generals as they went 16-of-37 from the foul line (43 percent).
The weekend game got a bit physical in the final quarter when two unsportsmanlike fouls were called on Emilio Aguinaldo’s team captain King Gortiza and Wilmar Oftana, while a technical foul was called on both coaches Racela and Jerson Cabiltes.
Gurtiza led the Generals with 17 points, while Oftana and Gil Quinal combined for 31 points.
The scores:
Perpetual Help 73 -- Gojo Cruz 18, Pagaran 15, Abis 11, Orgo 9, Boral 5, Gelsano 5, Montemayor 3, Nuñez 2, Pizarro 2, Sevilla 2 Cauguiran 1, Manuel 0, Movida 0.
Emilio Aguinaldo 67 -- Gurtiza 17, Quinal 16, Oftana 15, Ochavo 4, Luciano 4, Umpad 4, Bagay 4, Angeles 2, Ednilag 1, Manacho 0, Doromal 0, Bacud 0, Loristo 0, Pagsanjan 0, Devara 0.
Quarters: 18-12; 33-28; 49-42; 73-67.
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