PLAYING without pressure, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta eliminated Jose Rizal University in the Final Four race with a 72-60 victory in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

With their ninth loss in 15 games, the beleaguered Bombers capped a tumultuous week by missing the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season.

It was a disappointing campaign for JRU, which showed a lot of promise after a 5-2 start, but the 18-day break due to health and safety protocols halted the momentum as the Bombers lost seven of the last eight matches.

John Amores’ violent outburst in last Tuesday’s incident against College of Saint Benilde that resulted to his indefinite suspension by the league also didn’t help JRU’s cause.

Although most of the suspended players from that ugly brawl were back, the Bombers continued to miss shooter William Sy, who served his second of a three-game suspension, and Ryan Arenal, who was banned for two games.

Later, Enoch Valdez sizzled with a season-high 30 points as Lyceum of the Philippines University made it back to the Final Four after a one-season absence and pushed San Sebastian on the brink of elimination with a 73-65 win.

With a 11-5 record, the Pirates moved in a virtual tie with the Blazers (10-4) in second place, keeping the chase for the second twice-to-beat bonus hanging in the balance.

The Stags, for their part, suffered their eighth defeat in 14 games.

After scoring 25 points in the first half, Art Roque, JP Boral and Carlo Ferreras joined forces in the Altas’ 27-point third quarter to seize the upper hand at 52-50.

Rey Barcuma and Ferreras then took charge in the fourth quarter for Perpetual to chalk up its seventh victory in 16 games.

The Altas failed to reach the Final Four after an inspiring run in the previous season, but Jef Egan, who was dealing with Achilles injury that bothered him in the tournament, still has something to be grateful of.

“Ang daming challenges na dumating sa amin,” said Egan, who led Perpetual with 14 points and eight assists. “Thankful naman kami sa mga coaches namin, lalo na si coach Myk (Saguiguit) kasi talagang nire-remind sa amin na kahit anong na challenges na dumating sa atin – sa akin personally – sinabi niya talaga na hinding-hindi kita susukuan. Thankful ako kay coach Myk.”

Ferreras also scored 14 points, to go with five assists, Barcuma had 13 points and six rebounds while Roque dropped 10 of his 12 points in the Altas’ pivotal third quarter surge.

Entering his final two NCAA games, Egan wanted to leave Perpetual on a high note.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, ayusin na ito para maging puhunan natin ito sa Season 99,” said Egan. “Siguro maging good example ako sa game at sa training.”

The scores:

First game

Perpetual (72) — Egan 14, Ferreras 14, Barcuma 13, Roque 12, Abis 7, Boral 6, Omega 3, Pagaran 3, Flores 0, Cuevas 0, Movida 0, Martel 0, Orgo 0.
JRU (60) — Guiab 16, Miranda 11, Dela Rosa 8, Celis 5, Dionisio 4, Medina 4, Abaoag 4, Tan 2, Villarin 2, De Jesus 2, Delos Santos 2, Mercado 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 7-15, 25-30, 52-50, 72-60

Second game

LPU (73) — Valdez 30, Bravo 10, Navarro 7, Barba 6, Umali 5, Guadaña 4, Montaño 4, Cunanan 3, Larupay 2, Villegas 2, Peñafiel 0, Aviles 0, Omandac 0.
SSC-R (65) — Calahat 19, Altamirano 11, Yambing 8, Una 7, Villapando 6, Desoyo 6, Are 4, Suico 3, Sumoda 1, Escobido 0, Shanoda 0, Cosari 0.
Quarterscores: 18-8, 36-23, 49-49, 73-65.