Altas nail first win; Revellers bounce back from defeat
Games tomorrow (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig) 12 p.m. – Cignal-Ateneo vs AMA 2 p.m. – Wangs Basketball vs Marinerong Pilipino 4 p.m. – Chadao-FEU vs The Masterpiece Clothing-TUA
Perpetual Help clamped down on defense as it weathered Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill’s furious second-half fightback, 71-65, to barge into the win-column in the PBA D-League yesterday.
The Altas held the Blue Dragons to four points in the final four minutes while pouring 11 of their own to salvage the win after losing a 14-point halftime lead.
Perpetual Help, loser in its first two outings, finally broke through for joint sixth with its opponent and Cha Dao-Far Eastern U in the Foundation Group.
“I thought we did very well in the first half. We made a lot of stops because of our defense that propelled us to our offense. In the third quarter, it was a simple collapse. What we’re doing is new so I think it’s about them believing in what we are doing,” said Altas coach Frankie Lim.
John Egan paced UPHSD with 25 points, five in their final run, Rey Peralta had 13 while Jielo Razon contributed 12.
Beninese Kevine Gandjeto powered Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill with 20 points, 14 in the second half to allow the team to erase a 24-38 halftime deficit.
A drive by Gandjeto put the Blue Dragons in front, 48-47, with 31.1 to go in the third.
He scored on a dunk at the 4:23 mark of the fourth for Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill to regain the lead at 61-59 but the Blue Dragons lost grip as a trey by Razon sparked UPHSD’s strong finish.
Jeramer Cabanag chipped in 17 points for the Blue Dragons.
Later, Che’Lu Bar and Grill whipped Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-63, to bounce back and gain a share of third spot with CignalAteneo in the Aspirants’ Group.
The Revellers exploded with 30 points in the third quarter to stretch a 14-point halftime advantage, 41-27, to 30-point leads in the frame on the way to posting their second win in three games.
Che’Lu Bar and Grill yielded to St. Clare College-Virtual Reality the last time out.
“I was hard on them in practice because of the result of our last game. I told them even if you are talented and experienced, it’s not a guarantee that we will win. We have to work hard every game no matter who we face,” said Revellers coach Stevenson Tiu.
Sean Manganti regained his form after a six-point outing the last time out, dropping 20 points to spearhead Che’Lu Bar and Grill.
Jessie Collado put in 19 points and 12 rebounds, Chris Dumapig added 13 points while Jerald Bautista had 10 for the Revellers. The scores: First Game UPHSD 71 – Egan 25, Peralta 13, Razon 12, Charcos 8, Adamos 6, Solis 4, Lanoy 2, Pasia 1, Sese 0, Tamayo 0, Pido 0, Martel 0, Guissani 0.
DILIMAN-GERRY’S 65 – Gandjeto 20, Cabanag 17, Bauzon 8, Brutas 7, Torrado 4, Mahari 4, Darang 3, Balagtas 2, Salazar 0, Bonsubre 0, Melendez 0, Coquia 0. Quarterscores: 19-10, 38-24, 50-50, 71-65 Second Game CHE’LU 89 – Manganti 20, Collado 19, Dumapig 13, Bautista 10, Suerte 7, P. Manalang 6, Gabo 5, Bringas 4, Ng 3, Viernes 2, R. Manalang 0, Chua 0.
BATANGAS-EAC 63 – Carlos 13, Derige 11, Amogues 7, Tampoc 6, E. Mendoza 5, Taywan 5, Martin 5, Cadua 5, Dela Pena 2, Boffa 2, Maguliano 1, J. Mendoza 1, Oppong 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 41-27, 71-42, 89-63