Altas unleash fiery duo, rip Lions

Perpetual Help leaned on the dynamic duo of Gilbert Malabanan and Chester Tolomia to post a huge come-from-behind victory over hardluck San Beda, 84-78, yesterday and climb back into contention in the 77th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Malabanan and Tolomia, both playing for Shark Energy Drink and one of the most powerful frontline combinations in the PBL, combined for 43 points and 31 rebounds as the Altas recovered from a 19-point, first-half deficit to notch their third win in six outings.

The Altas, who lost three of their first four games this season, got off on the wrong foot as they trailed the Red Lions, 29-48, late in the second quarter. But everything changed starting in the third quarter as Malabanan and Tolomia, the reigning MVP in the PBL, got their game going.

"We’re confident but inconsistent. It’s a good thing that it was our opponent which collapsed in the end," said Perpetual coach Bay Cristobal. "I’ve been telling them that if they want to win, they must follow our system."

San Beda last led at 75-74 before the 6-foot-3 Malabanan gave Perpetual the lead for good, scoring on a two-handed, breakaway dunk. Before the basket, Malabanan kept his team in the game with eight straight points on two three-point plays and a towering tip-in.

The Red Lions were held to just three points in the final three minutes as they absorbed their fifth straight loss after an opening-day victory over PCU.