Perpetual halts Letran’s streak; JRU wins

MANILA, Philippines - Nobody's perfect.

Drawing strength from a mighty start and a stronger finish, Perpetual Help hammered out an 80-76 victory that sent Letran's unbeaten streak to a screeching halt in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday.

Juneric Baloria, a rookie out of Lanao del Norte, exploded for 28 points while Nigerian Nosa Omorogbe erupted for 25 as the Altas snared their sixth against two losses to move just a game off the pace.

The Knights, who were unscathed after seven games going into the two-week break to give way for the 27th FIBA-Asia Championship at the MOA Arena, fell from solo first place to joint second with the idle San Beda Lions, the reigning three-peat champions, on 7-1 (win-loss) records.

And what the Altas needed to do is come up with a strong start.

"When we lost to San Beda just before the NCAA took a break, we talked about and discussed the issue of starting out strong and we did that in this game," said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario in Filipino.

Truly, Perpetual Help opened its game against San Beda slow, rallied its way back to come within striking distance before eventually losing steam in the end and suffered a 65-72 loss last July 27.

The Las Pinas-based school's total output in this game was its highest of the season and it has a lot to do with the 23-year-old Baloria, who came five points away from matching his career best 33-point performance in a 77-78 overtime loss to the San Sebastian Stags last July 8.

And Baloria, who leads the league in scoring and in the run for the MVP award, drew praises from his disciplinarian coach.

"He has the ability to make those big shots," said the 73-year-old del Rosario, who has steered the Altas to the Final Four and last year and perhaps deeper this year.

Raymond Almazan and Kevin Racal paced the Knights with 15 and 10 points, respectively, but couldn't get anything from Mark Cruz, who was held to just six points after firing 23 in an 87-68 rout of Mapua last July 29.

In the nightcap, Jose Rizal leaned on John Pontejos and Michael Mabulac as it ripped Lyceum, 61-49, to keep its place in the magic four.

Pontejos fired 16 points while Mabulac scattered 14 as the Bombers booked their second straight win and fifth overall against three defeats to stay at No. 4 behind Letran, San Beda and Perpetual Help.

The Pirates fell to No. 9 with a 2-6 card.

The scores:

First Game

Perpetual (80) -- Baloria 28, Omorogbe 25, Alano 12, Elopre 5, Bantayan 4, Dizon 3, Jolangcob 3, Oliveria 0, Thompson 0, Arboleda 0, Paulino 0, Bitoy 0.

Letran (66) -- Almazan 15, Racal 10, Ruaya 9, Tambeling 7, Castro 6, Cruz 6, Nambatac 5, Gabawan 3, Luib 2, Buenaflor 2, Belorio 1.

Quarterscores: 31-9, 49-28, 69-49, 80-66.

Second Game:

JRU (61) -- Pontejos 16, Mabulac 14, Dela Paz 11, Balagtas 6, Lasquety 5, Juanico 4, Salaveria 2, Grospe 2, Sanchez 1, Paniamogan 0.

LPU (49) -- Mbomiko 13, Taladua 12, Lacastesantos 9, Lesmoras 6, Mendoza 4, Evangelista 3, Alanes 2, Azores 0, Baltazar 0, Soliman 0, Garcia 0, Ko 0.

Quarters: 18-13, 31-22, 46-34, 61-49.