University of Perpetual Help System DALTA kept its flickering Final Four hopes alive by downing College of St. Benilde, 85-83, in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
In his best game so far, forward Kim Aurin fired a career-high 29 points on top of 11 rebounds in leading the Altas to their fourth win in 14 matches and in the process staying in semis hunt.
Also shining for Perpetual were guards Jielo Razon and Tonton Peralta, who added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Las Piñas-based school.
Edgar Charcos also made big plays in the final stretch as his floater and a three-point basket sparked Perpetual Help’s 15-4 run that shattered a 66-all and gave them a commanding 81-70 advantage.
CSB fought back behind Carlo Young as the Blazers trimmed the deficit to 83-81, but Aurin was steady from the foul line, converting two free throws down the stretch to seal the deal.
“It’s a good win for us. We just want to improve every game, that’s our focus,” said Perpetual Help mentor Frankie Lim.
St. Benilde continued its downward spiral as it dropped its eight of the last nine games following a 5-0 start, and the Blazers are now two games out of the No. 4 spot with a 6-8 card with four matches left in the eliminations.
Young led the Blazers with 20 points, while Justin Gutang and Prince Carlos had 13 markers apiece, and rookie big man Ladis Lepalam contributed 10 points off the bench for St. Benilde. (Waylon Galvez)
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 85 – Aurin 29, Razon 15, Peralta 11, Adamos 10, Labarda 10, Charcos 5, Giussani 3, Sevilla 2, Cuevas 0, Lanoy 0, Martel 0, Tamayo 0.
BENILDE 83 – Young 20, Gutang 13, Carlos 13, Lepalam 10, Belgica 8, Haruna 5, Nayve 5, Sangco 5, Dixon 2, Naboa 2, Flores 0.
Quarters: 15-17; 33-44; 62-60; 85-83.
