The brightest Akhuetie buzzer-beater lifts Altas vs Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Bright Akhuetie capped a monster game with the game-winner as Perpetual Help hacked out a 88-86 victory over San Beda in a wild finish to move up to joint third even as Letran seized the solo lead with a 79-69 romp over St. Benilde in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Nigerian, recipient of a number of assists, mostly from Scottie Thompson late in the fourth quarter, took the last feed from seldom-used Nestor Bantayan as time clicked down to its last second, putting in a banked shot from underneath and triggering a wild celebration from the Altas bench.

Sidelined for one game due to a shoulder injury, Akhuetie exploded for 31 points in his return, including 15 in the fourth that included a monster dunk over fellow Nigerian Ola Adeogun that fired-up the Altas and the crowd.

But it was the 6-8 Akhuetie’s last shot that proved to be the biggest, giving Perpetual Help its ninth win against four losses in a tie with idle Arellano U.

The setback, its third against 10 wins, dropped San Beda to second and left Letran back in the solo lead with an 11-2 mark.

Coming into the match with two-straight triple-double games, Thompson battled through San Beda’s double-teaming defense all game but still came away with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, the bulk of which he dished out in the fourth.

Bantayan, a third-string big man, put in all his four points in the stretch but it was his crucial save from a mad scramble that led to Akhuetie’s game-winner in a tightly fought, bruising encounter.

San Beda’s Michole Sorela was ejected for a disqualifying foul on Perpetual’s Kevin Oliveria early in the final canto.

Earlier, the Knights leaned on Mark Cruz, Kevin Racal and McJour Luib as they outgunned the Blazers in the fourth quarter en route to victory.

Cruz poured in a game-high 20 points, including eight in the final period, while Racal had an all-around game with 18 points, five assists, five steals and three rebounds.

Luib, on the other hand, fired six of his career-best 16 points in the last 10 minutes of play and spiked his scoring effort with four steals in a performance that drew praises from coach Aldin Ayo.

“McJour is a closer, he never commits mistakes at endgame,” said Ayo of Luib.

The victory also augured well for the Knights as they head to a killer final five-game stretch that features match-ups with title contenders Mapua, Jose Rizal, Arellano, Perpetual Help and San Beda in that order.

“We know it’s going to be a tough stretch so we need to really work and play harder in our last five games,” said Ayo.

The Blazers, who were led by JJ Domingo and Jonathan Grey’s 14 points, fell to 3-10 and out of the Final Four race.

In juniors’ play, the San Beda Red Cubs routed the Perpetual Help Altalettes, 109-53, to remain undefeated in 13 games.

The Junior Blazers, on the other hand, smashed the Squires, 69-48, to improve to 7-6.

The scores:

First Game

Letran 79 – Cruz 20, Racal 18, Luib 16, Sollano 9, Quinto 9, Nambatac 5, Apreku 2, Calvo 0, Balagasay 0

St. Benilde 69 – J. Domingo 14, Grey 14, Ongteco 12, Saavedra 10, Nayve 6, S. Domingo 5, Jonson 3, Young 3, Fajarito 2, Deles 0, Castor 0, Sta. Maria 0

Quarterscores: 13-22; 40-38; 54-56; 79-69

Second Game 

Perpetual Help 88 – Akhuetie 31, Thompson 14, Ylagan 14, Sadiwa 10, Oliveria 6, Eze 5, Bantayan 4, Dizon 2, Cabiltes 2, Tamayo 0, Coronel 0, Gallardo 0, Dagangon 0, Elopre 0

San Beda 86 – Adeogun 26, dela Cruz 15, Mocon 12, Koga 11, Amer 10, Tankoua 8, Reyes 4, Cabanag 0, Soberano 0, Sara 0, Presbiterio 0, Tongco 0, Sorela 0

Quarterscores: 14-17; 39-35; 61-60; 88-86