When the goin got tough, Vidal just kept on goin.
Jett Vidal showed everyone that he’s the league’s ultimate clutch shooter, propelling the Perpetual Help Altas to a pulsating 78-74 victory over the CSB Blazers Monday to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
“I told him he is the veteran of this team and everyone will rely on him,” said Perpetual head coach Aric Del Rosario. “We are lucky he responded to the challenge. We’re hoping for consistency.”
After Joel Jolangcob hit a three-pointer midway thru the 2nd quarter, Jett Vidal hit another trey at the 2:45 mark for a 31-24 Altas lead.
Vidal hit another three with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half to push their lead to nine, 38-29.
Jolangcob hit back to back baskets before Earl Thompson scored to complete a 6-0 run for a 15-point lead, 57-42, with 4:10 left in the quarter.
The Blazers were able to trim the lead down to one in the fourth, before Vidal was left wide open at the left wing for a three-pointer and a four-point cushion, 76-72, with 43.8 seconds left. After Carlo Lastimosa went coast to coast for an easy lay-in with 22 seconds left, the Altas went to clock management mode until Vidal fired a long 30-footer that bounced off the rim.
Femi Babayemi, was at the right place and time, grabbing the offensive rebound for another possession until the Blazers fouled Vidal in desperation to stop the clock. Vidal calmly sank both free throws in the process to seal the win.
With a 7-3 win-loss slate, the Altas now hold the fourth spot in the team standings. The last time Perpetual Help entered the finals was in 2004 against the PCU Dolphins.
“I’m happy for the trust given to me by coach Aric, so I have to do my best,” said Vidal, who registered an 8-of-9 shooting clip.
Despite the win, Del Rosario reminded his team that second round would absolutely be tougher.
“All the teams below will fight until their last breath, so the second round will be tougher than anyone can imagine,” he said. - RAF, GMA News
Individual Scores:
PERPETUAL 78 – Vidal 21, Jolangcob 14, Omorogbe 11, Paulino 8, Thompson 7, Arboleda 7, Babayemi 4, Alano 4, Allen 2, Elopre 0
ST. BENILDE 74 – Lastimosa 23, Taha 14, Romero 9, Sinco 6, Bartolo 5, Grey 3, Altamirano 2, Deles , Ongteco 0, Garcia 0.
Quarter Scores: 13-14, 41-31, 65-51, 78-74
Inboundpass has been covering collegiate basketball for six years. For more NCAA stories and information, check out inboundpass.com and follow Inboundpass on Twitter at @inboundpass
