Stags pound Bombers
MANILA, Philippines — Perpetual Help went to Edgar Charcos in the fourth quarter as it turned back Mapua U, 80-78, to open its campaign in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan City yesterday.
Charcos erupted for 11 of his 16 points in the final period including eight straight in a critical stretch as the Altas got off to a triumphant season debut and shared the early lead with opening day winners San Beda and Lyceum of the Philippines U.
“It was a total team effort and the players showed character,” said UPHSD coach Frankie Lim. “But I felt Charcos played big for us and hit the shots that we needed most late in the game.”
Tonton Peralta came through with a team-best 20 points while Ben Adamos, a transferee from San Beda, lived up to expectations and finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, enough to fill the vacuum left by last year’s MVP Prince Eze.
Earlier, undermanned College of St. Benilde survived Emilio Aguinaldo’s late fightback, 69-66.
Jimboy Pasturan and Justin Gutang ably filled in for the injury-hit Clement Leutcheu (quad) and Yankie Haruna (jaw) with the former firing 19 points and the latter logging 17 markers and 12 boards.
It was coach TY Tang’s first opening game win since he took over the CSB reins three years ago.
But the Blazers almost blew a 17-point lead in the fourth period.
“Good thing, we played well in the first half,” said Tang.
In the third game, San Sebastian played with a sustained firepower to wallop Jose Rizal U, 82-51.
The scores
First Game
CSB 69 – Pasturan 19, Gutang 17, Naboa 7, Lepalam 7, Carlos 5, Dixon 4, Nayve 3, Flores 3, Belgica 2, Sangco 2, Young 0
EAC 66 – Maguliano 18, Mendoza 16, Luciano 8, Taywan 6, Tampoc 6, Gonzales 4, Gurtiza 4, Estacio 4, Martin 0, Carlos 0, Corilla 0, Cadua 0, Dayrit 0, De Guzman 0
Quarterscores: 17-12 37-23 57-44; 69-66
Second Game
Perpetual Help 80 – Peralta 20, Charcos 16, Razon 10, Egan 9, Aurin 9, Adamos 8, Giussani 2, Lanoy 2, Cuevas 2, Barasi 2, Lucero 0, Martel 0
Mapua 78 – Bonifacio 15, Gonzales 14, Garcia 9, Nieles 8, Victoria 6, Salenga 6, Serrano 5, Hernandez 4, Lugo 4, Bunag 3, Aguirre 2, Jabel 2, Gamboa 0, Dela Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 21-22, 39-45, 64-63, 80-78
Third Game
San Sebastian 82 – Ilagan 25, Capobres 16, Bulanadi 7, Villapando 6, Desoyo 6, Altamirano 6, Calma 5, Calahat 4, Tero 3, Are 2, Loristo 2, Sumoda 0, Dela Cruz 0
Jose Rizal 51 – Dionisio 8, Steinl 8, Jungco 7, Dela Virgen 6, Aguilar 4, Delos Santos 4, Dela Rosa 3, Bordon 3, Miranda 2, Amores 2, Vasquez 2, Abaoag 2, Arenal 0, Dulalia 0
Quarterscores: 14-8; 35-22; 61-40; 82-51