Basketball
Perpetual downs Mapua in overtime to notch fifth win
InterAKTV/Justin Gener
Perpetual coach Aric Del Rosario’s silent treatment in the past two days inspired the Altas to bounce back from a sorry loss three days ago as they outlasted the Mapua Cardinals, 94-88, in overtime in Season 88 of the NCAA at the Arena in San Juan.
Perpetual notched their fifth win against two setbacks while Mapua dropped their third straight game for a 2-4 card.
With 18 seconds left in the regulation, the score was tied at 85-all, with Perpetual having a chance to win it but Nosa Omorogbe’s missed his attempt.
Gab Banal of Mapua drew first blood in the extra period as he split his charities to give Mapua an 86-85 lead. Jett Vidal answered with a basket, giving the Altas the lead back, 87-86.
In the ensuing play, Mike Parala, who was fouled by Vidal, fumbled on two charities but Jonathan Banal recovered the loose ball and scored to give the Cardinals a slim 88-87 lead with 3:21 left.
But the Altas buckled down on defense down the stretch and made it much more difficult for the Cardinals to score, giving up just one point after that.
“Ang sabi ko sa kanila, nung natalo kami sa JRU, sinasayang nyo ang pagkakataon. Dalawang araw ko sila hindi kinausap. Ngayon lang sa game kami nagusap ulit ng team. Kasi may pagkakataon na kaming manalo nun pero natalo pa,” said the Altas mentor Del Rosario.
Sophomore Scott Thompson came through with 22 big points to lead all scorers from the Altas’ camp. He also finished with 10 assists and four steals.
“Sakit nila yun, pag lumamang ng malaki, laging nagrerelax. Nung nag-overtime, sabi ko sa kanila wag na intindihin ang opensa, dumepensa na lang. Tignan mo, halos di na naka-score ang Mapua,” added Del Rosario.
Perpetual led by as many as 13, 24-11 at the end of the first ten minutes of action.
The Altas got a balanced scoring attack in the game. George Allen added 19 points, while Femi Babayemi scored 13 an Omorogbe and Vidal had 11 apiece for Perpetual.
Mike Parala finished with 20 points and eleven boards for Mapua with Kenneth Ighalo addeding 12 points and thirteen rebounds.
The Scores:
Perpetual (94) — Thompson 22, Allen 19, Babayemi 13, Omorogbe 11, Vidal 11, Elopre 9, Arboleda 7, Alano 2, Paulino 0, Jolangcob 0.
Mapua (88) — Parala 20, G. Banal 18, J. Banal 15, Ighalo 12, Nimes 7, Stevens 5, Eriobu 4, Chien 3, Saitanan 2, Brana 2, Estrella 0.
Quarterscores: 24-11, 44-35, 64-57, 85-85, 94-88 (OT).
