Dolphins scrambling win draws coach’s ire

Jason Castro came away with 20 points in the second half, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as defending champion Philippine Christian U completed a come-from-behind 57-51 victory over Perpetual Help System DALTA yesterday in the 81st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

The victory firmed up the Dolphins’ hold of second spot with a 9-2 card while boosting their bid for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

Despite PCU’s victory, coach Junel Baculi was far from satisfied.

"I’m disappointed. This is the homestretch, yet we’re still trying to get into peak form. We still have to improve," said Baculi. "Some say a win is a win, but I’m not contended with this win, we were complacent at the start."

Truly, PCU started out flat and even fell behind by as many as 19 points, 13-32, after Perpetual Help’s playmaker Khiel Misa nailed back-to-back three-pointers with 1:19 left in the second quarter. The Altas sat on a 32-16 cushion at halftime.

Letran continued to dominate and added College of St. Benilde to its list of victims as the Knights fashioned out a 79-67 victory over the Blazers for their 11th win in row in the second game.

MVP contender Aaron Aban, a 6-foot-3 versatile swingman, dished out another superb performance for Letran as he scattered 23 points on top of 11 rebounds, two assists and four steals for the Knights.

The Blazers suffered their eighth straight setback in 11 games to drop to a three-way tie for fifth to seventh places with the Perpetual Altas and the San Beda Red Lions all holding 3-8 cards.