University of Perpetual Help System DALTA kept its Final Four hopes very much alive after grinding out a 61-57 stunner against San Beda University in NCAA Season 99 on Friday.
Perpetual is on a roll now, winning three straight games to improve to 7-7 while San Beda fell to 8-5.
With their backs against the wall, the ALTAs made sure not to commit the same mistake they had during their first round meeting against the Red Lions where they led almost all-game long before surrendering late.
Leading their fourth quarter rally was Jun Roque as the sophomore star, alongside Christian Pagaran and Jielo Razon, sent Perpetual to a pivotal 58-51 cushion with 2:40 left in the game.
Jacob Cortez then buried a triple to cut San Beda’s deficit but Pagaran answered with a mid-range jumper over the defense of towering bruiser Clifford Jopia.
However, the Red Lions kept themselves in the game courtesy of back-to-back baskets from Jopia and James Payosing to make it a 57-60 affair in the final 16.3 ticks.
Razon then split his freebies to give Perpetual a 61-57 advantage as Yukien Andrada went wide on his final triple attempt.
Roque shone with 19 points alongside seven rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal to make up for a one-point outing in the previous game against Arellano University while Pagaran tallied 12 markers and four boards.
Mark Omega churned out a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds to help the ALTAs put Cortez' 22-point performance to waste.
Perpetual and San Beda both return to action on Sunday against league-leading squads Lyceum of the Philippines University and Mapua University, respectively.
Scores:
Perpetual 61- Roque 19, Pagaran 12, Omega 10, Abis 6, Razon 5, Nitura 4, Cuevas 3, Nunez 2, Barcuma 0, Boral 0, Gelsano 0.
San Beda 57- Cortez 22, Andrada 11, Payosing 7, Puno 4, Gonzales 4, Cuntapay 3, Jopia 2, Visser 2, Royo 2, Tagle 0, Alfaro 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15; 33-35; 47-45; 61-57.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News