Altas, Pirates enter Fr. Martin Cup quarters

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Perpetual Help-A Altas and the Lyceum Philippines University-A Pirates repulsed their rivals over the weekend to clinch quarterfinal berths in the ongoing the 10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament.

Earl Thompson scored three free throws in the last 15 seconds, lifting the Altas to a 90-81 swamping of the University of the Philippines Maroons last Sunday at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City.

Last Saturday, Guy Essono scattered 29 points and Kinsman Frando had 16 as the LPU-A Pirates waylaid the Far Eastern University-B Tamaraws, 76-67, at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola, Manila.

The Altas swept their seven-game Group B assignment to clinch the top quarterfinals seat, while the Pirates finished second, and made it with their 6-2 win-loss record.

The University of Santo Tomas Tigers, led by Ed Daquioag and Kevin Ferrer with 14 and 13 points, respectively, prevailed over the Jose Rizal University-A Heavy Bombers, 59-56.

This kept them in contention for a third Group B berth after they ended the elims with a 4-3 slate.

The College of St. Benilde Blazers (4-2) are in contention for the last seat.

In the women’s action, Eunique Chan drove in with 8.8 seconds to lead the University of the East Amazons to a 47-46 beating of the La Salle Lady Archers.

This kept the Amazons in contention for a championship berth with their 4-3 record.

In other games, Jerby Bulawan made 21 points for LPU-B, which defeated St. Joseph-Bulacan, 90-51, to improve their record to 4-3 n Group A.