Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) – The Perpetual Help Altas kept their play-in spot chances alive as they persevered down the stretch to beat the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 72-69, in NCAA Season 97 on Sunday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Perpetual Help’s top scorers Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon drained the crucial baskets under the final two minutes of the contest to give them a two-possession lead, 72-67, that secured their victory.
Aurin, who finished with a game-high 22 points, also converted crucial shots and triples in the fourth quarter to frustrate any attempts by the Pirates to snatch the lead.
Lyceum had a short taste of the lead in the third quarter following a 12-5 scoring run, but their offensive fouls in the next possessions proved too costly and Perpetual Help seized the advantage again.
Omar Larupay led the Pirates with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Mac Guadana, Renzo Navarro, and Yancy Remulla chipped in nine points each.
The Altas are currently tied with the San Sebastian Stags in sixth place with a 3-5 record, while the Pirates are now out of contention for a play-in spot with a 2-6 slate.
Perpetual Help will shoot for a play-in spot in their last eliminations game against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday noon, while Lyceum seeks to close their Season 97 campaign on a positive note against third running Mapua University on Wednesday noon.
The Scores:
PERPETUAL 72 – Aurin 22, Razon 14, Pagaran 12, Barcuma 7, Cuevas 5, Martel 4, Egan 4, Movida 3, Boral 1, Abis 0, Omega 0, Sevilla 0.
LYCEUM 69 – Larupay 17, Navarro 9, Guadana 9, Remulla 9, Bravo 8, Valdez 6, Cunanan 4, Umali 4, Guinto 2, Barba 1, Garro 0.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 41-36, 55-52, 72-69.
