Altas escape Lions’ grip in longest game of Season 101
It took every ounce of stamina, three overtimes and ice-cold threes from Mark Gojo Cruz and JP Boral, but Perpetual Help escaped with a heart-pounding 88-85 win over San Beda in the longest game of NCAA Season 101 so far.
The win solidified the Altas’ hold on Group A at 8-1, and coach Olsen Racela was quick to point out how important the victory was to his squad.
“We were up early, then they came back,” Racela said. “It was a battle from start to finish. To beat a great program like San Beda—that’s a big achievement for our school.”
Perpetual seized control in the third extra period behind a clutch three from Gojo Cruz that made it 85-81. Boral buried another triple late, and despite Agjanti Miller’s 28-point outburst, San Beda could not respond.
Patrick Sleat (23 points) and Gojo Cruz (20) led the Altas, while John Abis contributed 14 points and 11 boards. The Red Lions, still leading Group B at 6-2, got help from Yukien Andrada (13 points).
But if Perpetual’s win was about staying on top, San Sebastian’s was about survival.
Facing a Letran squad on a five-game streak and burdened by five straight losses of their own—and unpaid salaries and allowances for four months—the Golden Stags played like their season was on the line.
And it might have been.
No salaries, allowance
“This proves we can compete,” said coach Rob Labagala.
“We’ve been through a lot. We’ve been showing up and fighting even when we haven’t been paid salaries and allowances for four months.”
That fight was on full display in the closing moments. Down four midway through the fourth, San Sebastian unleashed a 7-0 run to wrest the lead, then leaned on Jhuniel Dela Rama’s go-ahead jumper with three seconds left to steal the win, 82-81.
Dela Rama finished with 20 points and seven boards. Oneil Castor added 22 as the Stags improved to 2-7 in Group A. Letran, despite 26 points and 10 rebounds from Jonathan Manalili, fell to 5-4.
