UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA barged into the win column of Group B after defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-72, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena on Thursday.
The Altas recovered from their opening day loss at the hands of Letran to hike their record to 1-1 won-lost.
Perpetual led by just a point in the early goings of the fourth quarter, 62-61, before going on a 9-0 rally capped off by a Rey Maglupay triple at the 6:02 mark for a 71-61 advantage.
The Altas were on cruise control in the latter part of the payoff period, 79-67, but the Generals went on a quick five-point spurt to cut the deficit to seven, 79-72, with two minutes remaining.
Mark Gojo Cruz, however, nailed the door shut on the Generals with a short stab to put Perpetual up for good, 81-72.
‘We prepared hard for this season,’ Gojo Cruz said after dropping 15 points, six assists and four rebounds in the win.
Angelo Gelsano led the Altas with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, LA Casinillo followed with 16 while Juan Tulabut and Maglupay scored 15 and 11 points, respectively.
EJ Castillo finished with 19 points and five boards and Harvae Raymundo scattered 17 points in EAC’s campaign-opening loss.