It took University of Perpetual Help System DALTA a Herculean effort and an extra period to overcome shorthanded Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-83, and return to the win column of NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The ALTAs committed lapses towards the end of regulation, but found the necessary answers in overtime as they halted a two-game losing streak and improved to 6-8.
The Pirates, who were playing without veteran JM Bravo and team captain Greg Cunanan, were dealt their second straight loss to drop to 6-7.
LPU went on a rampage late in the fourth with the returning Mclaude Guadaña shooting just his second triple of the game after 10 attempts and John Barba completing a fastbreak layup to cut Perpetual's lead down to two, 71-73, with 2:31 to go.
Christian Pagaran and Mark Gojo Cruz then sank crucial baskets before Renz Villegas answered with a triple of his own for a 75-77 affair still in the ALTAs' favor.
LPU looked like it replicated its first round win over Perpetual, which saw the Pirates come away with the victory over a Joshua Moralejo game-winning triple. But Jonathan Daileg's long bomb was downgraded to just a two-point basket after he was seen stepping on the marker, setting the stage for an overtime, 77-77.
Big man Jearico Nuñez made some big hits in OT, sinking a freebie before a pair of his layups sent Perpetual to an 83-78 cushion.
Gojo Cruz, who was assigned to make the plays after main point guard Shawn Orgo was ruled out for the season due to a shoulder injury, came up with timely free throws to seal the deal.
Four ALTAs reached double digit scoring with JP Boral posting 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists while Pagaran chipped in 16 markers, five boards, three steals, and two blocks.
Nuñez added 15 points and seven rebounds while John Abis delivered a double-double outing of 12 markers and 10 boards laced with seven assists to help the cause.
Villegas stepped up big time in the absence of Cunanan, tallying 23 points behind a stellar 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc while Barba finished with 17 markers, nine boards, and six dimes.
Scores:
Perpetual 89 – Boral 18, Pagaran 16, Nuñez 15, Abis 12, Gojo Cruz 9, Manuel 7, Pizarro 6, Montemayor 4, Gelsano 2.
LPU 83 – Villegas 23, Barba 17, Daileg 10, Guadaña 9, Moralejo 9, Aviles 5, Peñafiel 4, Montaño 3, Versoza 3, Panelo 0, Gordon 0, Pallingayan 0.
Quarters: 26-25, 46-45, 64-59, 77-77 (reg.), 89-83 (OT).
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
