Altas weather Archers rally, remain unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines - The University of Perpetual Help Altas weathered a close fight against the De La Salle Green Archers, 65-64, Sunday for their fifth straight win in the in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup men’s basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

A missed triple by Green Archer Terrence Mustre in the dying seconds allowed the Altas to remain unbeaten and in strong contention for a semifinals seat in Group B of the senior division.

Jess Sibal, who had 15 points,  scored the Altas’ last basket off his layup in the last 50 seconds, 65-59,  and after that, the Green Archers went on the offensive, scoring twice on three possessions in the ensuing play.

The Green Archers, who now have a 3-3 win-loss record behind semis contenders National University (4-1) and San Beda (4-1), rallied to within a point off Julian Sargent’s triple and Abu Tratter’s layup in the last eight seconds.

Gabriel Danganan led the Altas with 19 points, while Cameroonian Akhuetie Bright fired 16 for the Altas.

In the junior division, the Adamson Baby Falcons also remained unbeaten with their 5-0 slate, and after blasting the Xavier School Stallions, 77-44, and with JD Tungcab showing the way with 20 points.

Joshua Montero shot 24 points for the Trinity University of Asia Junior Stallions, who smashed La Salle-Zobel, 85-64, and hiked their slate to 2-3.

Last week, The Lyceum Philippines University Pirates scored their second consecutive last Saturday to move in contention with the Ateneo Blue Eagles for semifinals slot in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup men’s basketball tournament.

The Pirates, led by Kinsman Frando with 19 points, forced the College of St. Benilde Blazers to four turnovers at endgame to prevail with a 76-73 triumph and march to their sixth straight win in Group A.

The Pirates drew 18 points from 6’8 Cameroonian Jean Victor Ngudjol as they won over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 82-72.