By CARLO ANOLIN
Carlo Ferreras and Steven Flores took charge of University of Perpetual Help’s offense and hacked out an 89-83 stunner against College of St. Benilde, 89-83, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Exploiting Benilde’s horrible experience from a “mad man” in the name of John Amores of Jose Rizal University on Tuesday (Nov. 8), the Altas did their job on the hard court and kept their campaign alive with a 6-9 record.
Ferreras finished with 19 points along with four rebounds, Flores had an all-around performance of 18 points on an 8-of-12 shooting on top of seven rebounds, while Cedrick Abis tallied a rare triple-double outing with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for Perpetual.
The Altas trio also connived to douse the 22-point performance of Benilde sharpshooter Miggy Oczon, who also had four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Perpetual led by as many as 18 points earlier before St. Benilde, behind the efforts of Oczon, came alive late in the payoff period and cut the deficit down to eight points, 86-74.
Just when the Blazers began to retaliate, Cuevas rose to the occasion, coming through with a one-hander jumper down to the last minute.
Jimboy Pasturan then sank a technical free throw in the ensuing play before Oczon fired a triple from the right wing to make it a nine-point affair, 88-79. But time was not on Benilde’s side despite another triple from Oczon.
At press time, the undermanned Heavy Bombers, who only have six players on the field, are playing against the San Sebastian Stags.
The scores:
PERPETUAL 89 ˗ Ferreras 19, Flores 18, Abis 13, Egan 8, Barcuma 8, Roque 8, Martel 6, Cuevas 5, Omega 4, Boral 0.
CSB 83 ˗ Oczon 22, Gozum 13, Cullar 10, Nayve 10, Corteza 9, Pasturan 8, Marcos 6, Sumabat 5, Davis 0, Carlos 0, Lim 0.