Altas stun Tigers in Fr. Martin Cup; Eagles soar

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Perpetual Help Altas got big baskets from three veterans as they shocked this year’s UAAP finalist UST Tigers, 76-71, last Sunday in the 10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament at the Far Eastern University gymnasium in Morayta, Manila.

Justine Alano made a game-high 14 points, while Chris Elopre and G-Jay Ylagan had 13 apiece for the Lester del Rosario-coached Altas, who took charge early and moved away by 10 markers in the second period.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles, led by Earl Murphy and Chibueze Ikeh, also made their presence felt as they crushed St. Joseph-Bulacan, 91-36.

And so did reigning UAAP women’s champion La Salle, who got big baskets from Arra Abaca as they walloped FEU, 55-44, in the women’s side.

Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said 18 teams are now booked in the men’s division following the entry of San Sebastian College-B and Jose Rizal University-B, and the withdrawal of Perpetual Help-B.

Ardie Dizon, former junior standout AJ Coronel and Joel Jolangcob scored in succession for the Altas, who widened a 28-24 advantage, 44-34, at halftime.

The Tigers, playing in the absence of coach Pido Jarencio, managed to threaten, 51-54, near the end of the third, but the Altas scored twice in a row to move away by seven, 58-51, when the fourth period started.

Murphy and Ikeh banged in 16 points apiece for the Blue Eagles.

The Altas are ahead in Group B with the University of the Philippines Maroons, who waylaid FEU, 76-71.

The Blue Eagles now share the Group A lead with the Mapua Cardinals, who turned back the San Sebastian Stags, 82-73, last Saturday.