University of Perpetual Help System DALTA moved on to the next play-in game after surviving Arellano University, 59-52, in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Perpetual pulled away with a big fourth quarter run to secure the victory, which allowed them to advance to a knockout game versus College of Saint Benilde for the last spot in the Final Four.
The game was tight through the first three quarters before a big run in the final period swung the game Perpetual’s way.
The Altas, led by Kim Aurin, went on a 15-3 run at just the right time to take an 11-point lead, 59-48, with 1:29 remaining in the game.
Aurin scored 16 points on 6-for-12 (50-percent) shooting, including seven in the decisive fourth quarter run.
Jielo Razon, meanwhile, posted 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists while Lean Martel added 10 points and six boards.
Perpetual trailed by one, 45-44, early in the fourth, before Razon rattled off four straight points to give the Altas the advantage.
Big man Mark Omega then connected on back-to-back baskets to make it a seven-point game before Aurin finished on an and-one layup for a 54-45 lead, though he was unable to make the free throw.
Arellano's Archie Concepcion hit a three-pointer on the other end to keep the Chiefs' hopes alive before Aurin responded with a triple of his own, then followed that up with another dagger, 59-45, with a minute and a half left on the clock.
The Chiefs, who could only muster up nine points in the fourth quarter, could not come closer than seven from there.
Jordan Sta. Ana led Arellano with 12 markers but star center Justin Arana was limited to just nine points, though he did grab 17 big rebounds and block two shots in the final game of his NCAA career.
The Altas will take on the Blazers on Wednesday with a chance to advance into the Final Four opposite defending champion Letran at stake.
The scores:
Perpetual 59 - Aurin 16, Razon 10, Martel 10, Omega 8, Pagaran 7, Barcuma 6, Egan 2, Abis 0, Cuevas 0 Nunez 0, Sevilla 0.
Arellano 52 - Sta. Ana 12, Arana 9, Concepcion 8, Sablan 7, Cruz 5, Oliva 4, Caballero 2, Valencia 2, Doromal 2, Steinl 1, Carandang 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 13-14, 25-24, 44-43, 59-52.
—JMB, GMA News
