Dagangon lifts Altas to joint third over Pirates

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan City)

12 nn. – San Sebastian vs San Beda (Jrs/Srs)

4 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano U (Srs./Jrs)

MANILA, Philippines - Gab Dagangon fired 14 points in a breakthrough performance in a Perpetual Help jersey as the Altas drubbed the Lyceum Pirates, 65-60, to gain a piece of third place in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

With a measly total of 16 points on six-of-21 shooting in their first nine games, Dagangon came out of his shell, highlighting his game with two dagger triples at the finish as Perpetual Help moved up to joint third with Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde at 6-4.

Lyceum fell to 5-5.

“I got extra minutes, and I grabbed the opportunity given me by my coach,” said Dagangon, a transferee from Industrial College in Davao.

Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario wasn’t surprised with Dagangon’s showing.

“When I first saw him play, I knew he will be a special player,” said Del Rosario of Dagangon, a 21-year-old native of Cotabato City. “He just needs more experience to consistently come up with that kind of game.”

Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda fired 12 and 10 points, respectively, on the eve of the 2014 PBA rookie draft today at the Robinson’s Place Manila where they are among the 85 hopefuls.

Justine Alano continued his solid play by scattering 14 points while Earl Scottie Thompson contributed 10 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, four assists and a steal that further bolstered his stock as the MVP race leading contender.

Dagangon stepped up the biggest, though.

With the team down by four early in the third period, Thompson sparked a series of onslaughts that Dagangon capped by burying a jumper that gave the Altas a 50-40 lead entering the final canto.

Dagangon then buried two three-pointers that helped Perpetual Help extend the lead 15, 61-46.

Dexter Zamora led the Pirates with 18 points while bullstrong Joseph Gabayni, a transferee out of Santo Tomas, had another double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.

It didn’t help that Lyceum missed the services of Shane Ko due to sickness.

In juniors’ action, the Junior Altas edged the Junior Pirates, 79-76, to bolster their Final Four stock.