Kurt Reyson Kurt Reyson powers Wang’s Ballclub-Letran to victory.

Perpetual Help, Wang’s advance

June 7, 2023 Theodore P. Jurado 514 views

UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Wang’s Basketball @27 Striker-Letran march on to the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals after besting quarterfinals foes yesterday at the Paco Arena.

The Altas pulled away late to eliminate Philippine Sports Performance, 97-90, while the Knights rallied from a 10-point hole in the final 3:27 of regulation and unloaded a telling 8-0 run in the first minute of overtime en route to a 94-87 conquest of Centro Escolar University.

Perpetual will face the No. 2 seed and reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle in a best-of-three series, while Wang’s-Letran will take on elimination round topnotcher Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda starting tomorrow.

With the sixth-ranked Gymers up by two in the last three minutes, the No. 3 Altas unleashed a 11-2 finishing kick to make the most out of its quarterfinal incentive.

“It’s our first time in the D-League semifinals after three stints. It’s our first time to reach this feat so sana maging maganda,” said Perpetual coach Myk Saguiguit.

Five players conspired for the Altas in the clutch, led by Cyrus Nitura, who dropped 20 points, including the dagger lay-up in the final 49 seconds.

John Abis and skipper Jielo Razon added 19 and 18 points, respectively, with John Paul Boral (15) and Arthur Roque (13) cashing in solid contributions for Perpetual.

Kurt Reyson had 27 points, including a triple at the 4:02 mark that gave the Knights a 87-79 lead, six rebounds and five assists while Vince Cuajao chipped in 15 points.

Wendell Comboy had 26 points to lead PSP.

The scores:

First game

Perpetual (97) – Nitura 20, Abis 19, Razon 18, Boral 15, Roque 13, Ferreras 7, Ramirez 5, Pagaran 0, Barcuma 0, Nunez 0, Sevilla 0. PSP (90) – Comboy 26, Dela Cruz 15, Yutuc 14, Bayla 10, Olegario 8, Acuña 5, Velchez 4, Mohammad 4, Meneses 2, Sumagaysay 2, Castillo 0. Quarterscores: 27-27, 57-47, 68-73, 97-90

Second game

Wang’s-Letran (94) – Reyson 27, Cuajao 15, Monje 12, Tolentino 11, Fajardo 10, Javillonar 6, Ariar 5, Go 3, Guarino 2, Santos 2, Morales 1, Alarcon 0. CEU (87) – Tolentino 25, Balogun 17, Santos 14, Cabotaje 12, Diaz 9, Puray 6, Bernabe 4, Reyes 0, Anagbogu 0, Peñano 0, Joson 0, Borromeo 0, Malicana 0. Quarterscores: 11-14, 38-32, 54-64, 79-79, 94-87.

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