NCAA: Perpetual Help rallies past San Sebastian for q’finals berth

MANILA — Perpetual Help advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament after pulling off a tough 79-73 win against San Sebastian in the play-in phase on Thursday at the San Juan Arena.

The result completed a winless campaign for the Golden Stags and set up a quarterfinals date between the Altas and Group A top seed San Beda, with the Red Lions holding a twice-to-beat advantage. 

“Ang lagi lang sinasabi sa’min ng mga coaches namin ay, kung magprepare kami parang nasa playoffs na. ‘Di na namin inisip yung mga talo namin in the past games,” JM Corpuz said.

The Golden Stags trailed by as many as 13 points but roared back in the fourth quarter, where a Kent Bacani triple gave them a 71-69 lead with still 3:47 to play.

But Corpuz knocked down his own three-pointer to restore order for the Altas, 72-71. A Vincent Segovia bucket gave San Sebastian its last lead at 73-73, but Perpetual Help responded with a 7-0 run that the Stags could not answer.

Corpuz finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the win, while Shawn Orgo helped Perpetual’s cause with 15 points. The guard tandem of Mark Gojo Cruz and LA Casinillo ended up with 10 markers each.

Bacani’s 20-point outing went down the drain for Baste as they finish the season without a win after 14 games. Christian Ricio scored 12 while Segovia had 10 in the loss.

UPHSD 79 – Corpuz 18, Orgo 15, Casinillo 10, Gojo Cruz 10, Tulabut 8, Borja 7, Gelsano 7, Duremdes 3, Maglupay 1, Roluna 0, Cristino 0, Cauguiran 0, Montemayor 0

SSC R 73 – Bacani 20, Ricio 12, Segovia 10, Cuya 9, Gabat 6, Muktimar 4, Alforque 3, Kitane 3, Salvo 3, Castor 2, Dimaunahan 1, Velasco 0

Quarter scores: 27-20, 55-44, 64-59, 79-73