Altas, Lions thwart rivals for win No 3

MANILA, Philippines - Juneric Baloria, Justine Alano and Harold Arboleda came out firing for Perpetual, combing for 74 points as they led the streaking Altas to an 83-78 win over University of the East in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

Baloria sizzled with 28 points while Alano shot an equally hot 26 and Arboleda rifled in 20 along with 11 boards in spearheading Perpetual to its third straight victory in Group A and dropping the defending champion Warriors to 0-2.

Reigning NCAA titlist San Beda also picked up its third straight win with a 71-54 drubbing of St. Clare in Group B.

Over in Group C, University of the Philippines blew a 21-point margin but held on to a 76-69 victory over College of St. Benilde for an even 1-1 slate.

The Altas, who tirelessly hounded the Warriors on defense all game long, cranked it up in the fourth period where they stormed to a  nine-point lead, 82-73, on a fastbreak layup by Alano with 55 seconds left.

UE staged one last rally and got to within four points at 82-78, but Perpetual gained from a crucial offensive rebound and free throw from Gabriel Daganon for the insurance. 

Roi Sumang paced UE with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Bong Galanza added 15 markers and Charles Mammie had 13 points and as many rebounds.

“We all want to win and we’re working hard for it. Plus we’re motivated to prove that we can contend even if we’re playing all-Filipino,” said Alano in Pilipino.

Five Fighting Maroons scored in double-digits, with Dave Moralde leading with 18 points. JR Gallarza and Mikee Reyes contributed 14 markers apiece while Diego Dario and Mark Juruena added 13 and 10, respectively. – With Lance Adrian Agcaoili