The Perpetual Help Altas survived a determined San Sebastian Golden Stags side, 86‑74, to claim their second consecutive victory in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday evening at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
San Sebastian Keeps Pace with Perpetual
San Sebastian showed more fight after suffering two heavy defeats to begin its campaign, matching Perpetual throughout the opening half.
The Golden Stags even took a 35‑30 lead with 3:35 remaining in the second quarter. Perpetual responded before halftime, however, reclaiming the advantage and entering the break ahead, 43‑41.
The back‑and‑forth battle continued in the third period. Niel Castor helped San Sebastian remain within striking distance, while JM Tulabut’s three‑pointer helped the Altas take a narrow 59‑58 lead heading into the final quarter.
Golden Stags Threaten to Pull Off Upset
Perpetual opened the fourth period with a 6‑0 burst, but San Sebastian immediately answered with an 8‑0 run to regain the lead at 66‑65.
Arwin Alforque continued to give the Stags momentum, knocking down a three‑pointer to put San Sebastian ahead, 69‑66, with 6:02 remaining. He later converted a layup to bring the Stags within one, 73‑72, with 3:40 left.
The Altas, however, responded when the game mattered most.
Jim Corpuz and Tulabut combined for key baskets to put Perpetual ahead, 73‑70, before Alforque’s layup kept San Sebastian close.
Perpetual Finishes With Decisive Run
With the game still in the balance, Mark Gojo Cruz drained a corner three before setting up Angelo Gelsano for an and‑one play that stretched the Altas’ advantage to 78‑72.
Tulabut then scored four straight points, including two free throws and a layup, to push Perpetual ahead by double digits, 82‑72, with 1:26 remaining.
Gojo Cruz added another crucial play by forcing a turnover and assisting Rey Maglupay for a basket, giving the Altas an 84‑72 cushion. Perpetual eventually closed out the contest with a 13‑2 run over the final 3:40.
Tulabut led the way with 18 points and 3 rebounds, while Gojo Cruz finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists LA Casinillo added 15 points, while Gelsano contributed 10 points.
Castor paced San Sebastian with 17 points, while Alforque and Matt Acosta chipped in 12 and 11, respectively.
LA Casinillo Explains Altas’ Approach
The Altas improved to 2‑1 in Group B, while the Golden Stags remained winless after three games.
Casinillo said Perpetual recognized that San Sebastian was shooting well and needed to tighten its defense to secure the victory.
“We focused on our defense kasi Baste was shooting really good kanina,” Casinillo said after the game. “All we had to do was step up on defense and luckily nag‑follow up ’yong offense namin,” he added.
Perpetual will look to extend its winning streak against the Arellano Chiefs, while San Sebastian will try to finally get on the board against EAC Generals.
