MANILA, Philippines — Ending a grueling six-game skid, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas fended off a late Arellano University rally to secure a hard-fought 65-58 victory on Monday, October 26, in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball tournament.
The Las Piñas-based squad nearly let slip an eight-point lead after the Chiefs clawed their way back to tie the contest at 58-all late in the final quarter. However, LA Casinillo and Mark Gojo Cruz stepped up in the clutch, anchoring a crucial endgame surge to steer Perpetual back into the win column and improve their Group B record to 3-7.
Arellano, meanwhile, suffered its second consecutive defeat, sliding to a 5-5 standing at second place.
Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela praised his team’s resilience after breaking their lengthy drought.
“Within that losing [six] streak, we never lost hope, we had to answer a few problems that we encountered especially in the first part of the season,” Racela noted.
“I just told them not to lose hope, we just need one win.”
Gojo Cruz paced the Altas with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Casinillo added a solid all-around performance of 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. On the opposing side, Anjord Cabotaje led the Chiefs with 16 points, alongside Ernjay Geronimo’s 12 points, which ultimately fell short.
Looking ahead, Perpetual aims to sustain its momentum when it faces Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday, October 30, at the San Juan venue. Arellano will look to bounce back a day earlier against Letran on Thursday, October 29, at the same location.
Meanwhile, the Junior Altas also tasted success in the juniors division, outlasting Arellano in an intense 104-97 overtime thriller. Louie Rosales spearheaded the victory with a stellar 26-point explosion—including six crucial points in extra time—alongside four rebounds, two assists, and four blocks.
Sizco Roquid added 23 points and six rebounds, while Brian Orca Jr. contributed a dominant double-double of 14 points and 14 boards to lift the Junior Altas to an 8-2 record, dropping the young Chiefs to 5-5.