Jielo Razon saved his best for what could be his final collegiate game, erupting late to steer University of the Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 75-60 triumph against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament on Tuesday.
Perpetual capped off its elimination round run with a 10-8 card and now awaits the results of the remaining games of San Beda and JRU to determine its fate leading to the Final Four.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, slipped to 5-12 with only one game left in its campaign.
The ALTAs, though, had to buck a slow start as they trailed by as much as nine before restoring order in the second quarter behind the leadership of Razon. They headed to the halftime break knotted at 35-all after outscoring the Stags in the second, 22 to 13.
Razon caught fire in the fourth, unleashing three straight three-pointers to send Perpetual to a 19-point cushion, 66-47.
It was actually Christian Pagaran who started the comeback for the ALTAs as the fourth year forward dropped 10 of his overall output in the third frame where they would eventually create separation from the also-ran Stags.
The scores:
Perpetual 75 - Razon 26, Pagaran 16, Nitura 8, Abis 7, Omega 6, Roque 4, Gelsano 4, Movida 3, Orgo 2, Barcuma 0, Nunez 0, Sevilla 0, Cuevas 0, Ferreras 0, Boral 0.
San Sebastian 60 - Calahat 19, Desoyo 12, De Leon 6, Re. Gabat 5, Felebrico 4, Escobido 4, Castor 4, Are 3, Sumoda 2, Una 1, Singson 0, Ra. Gabat 0, Barroga 0, Bacani 0, Chuidian 0.
Quarters: 13-22, 35-35, 55-45, 75-60.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
