Games Tuesday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
12 noon – Arellano vs EAC (srs)
2 p.m. – San Sebastian vs Lyceum (srs)
4 p.m. – Perpetual vs St. Benilde (srs)
Burly center Bright Akhuetie exploded with a double-double effort as University of Perpetual Help turned back defending champion Letran, 61-55, yesterday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The 6-foot-8 Akhuetie whipped up a storm of 21 points and 16 rebounds, while swatting away three blocks as the Altas bounced back from a 88-70 loss to the San Beda Red Lions and improved to a 3-2 win-loss card.
Perpetual’s win also snapped Letran’s four-game winning streak as the Knights slipped to a 4-2 slate.
Perpetual relied heavily on its stifling defense, holding Letran to its season-low score of 55 points and forcing them to season-worst 22 turnovers.
Both teams started slow with Letran leading a 9-6 first-quarter lead, before Perpetual picked up its offensive game and grab a slim 27-26 upperhand at halftime.
But Akhuetie spearheaded the Altas’ assault in the next two periods to keep themselves afloat until the final buzzer.
“We worked hard on our defense. Na-alarm kami sa ginawang 40 points ni (Rey) Nambatac,” said Perpetual Coach Jimwell Gican, referring to the Letran playmaker’s career-high performance in the Knights’ 90-77 win over San Sebastian last Tuesday.
True enough, Nambatac was limited to 19 points and eight boards in 28 minutes of action.
Scores:
PERPETUAL 61 – Akhuetie 21, Dagangon 14, Coronel 13, Pido 7, Dizon 2, Singontiko 2, Eze 2, Hao 0, Oliveria 0, Sadiwa 0, Yuhico 0.
LETRAN 55 – Nambatac 19, Calvo 12, Apreku 6, Sollano 6, Quinto 6, Pambid 4, Dela Peña 2, Luib 0, Ambohot 0, Bernabe 0, Balanza 0, Balagasay 0, Sario 0, Ular 0.
Quarters: 6-9; 27-26; 46-44; 61-55.
Second Game
MAPUA 88 – Biteng 19, Menina 15, Estrella 14, Oraeme 13, Eriobu 12, Isit 7, Serrano 6, Orquina 2, Victoria 0, Aguirre 0, Bunag 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 75 – Mercado 18, Ilagan 17, Calisaan 9, Quipse 7, Valdez 6, Capobres 6, Johnson 5, Fabian 5, Bulunadi 2, David 0, Baetiong 0, Calma 0.
Quarters: 20-20; 51-42; 64-53; 88-75.