Team Standings
San Sebastian        7-0
San Beda              6-1
Jose Rizal              6-1
Letran                    4-3
St. Benilde            4-4
Arellano U              2-4
EAC                      2-5
Perpetual Help        2-5
Mapua                  1-6
AUF                      1-6

Perpetual Help made key stops in the stretch as it eked out a 72-71 victory over Mapua Monday to breathe new life to its flickering Final Four hopes in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. Raffy Ynion fired 21 points including the go-ahead basket with over a minute to go as the Altas snared their second win against five loses to remain in the Final Four hunt. “We don’t expect to go far but every game we give our hundred percent and something good will always happen,” said Perpetual Help mentor Boris Aldeguer, who also steered La Salle-Zobel to several UAAP juniors titles in the past. The Cardinals had several chances of stealing the game but blew all of it as they fell to their sixth defeat against a triumph. Their last golden opportunity for a win came with seconds to go when Erwin Cornejo launched a potential game-winning triple but it missed the mark as time expired. That sent the Altas in celebration as they completed their comeback from 10 points down in the third quarter with a resolute, heads up plays in the final period. Defense also proved crucial for Perpetual Help, which held Mapua to just seven points in the last canto while scoring 14 points to snare the win. In juniors’ action, Jose Rizal stunned four-peat champion San Sebastian, 93-87, while Perpetual Help downed Mapua, 97-89, to boost their respective Final Four stocks.

San Sebastian whipped up a big third quarter storm as it downed last year’s runner-up Jose Rizal, 91-76, to seize the solo lead in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. Jimbo Aquino spewed 23 points including seven in the fourth quarter that quashed a desperation rally by the Bombers before he fouled out as the Stags stretched its amazing streak to seven to seize the solo lead.
“He’s really a clutch performer but if he could nurse his fouls a little bit, he’ll be more dangerous,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, who celebrated his 46th birthday Saturday. San Sebastian also put the lid on the usually prolific John Wilson, who was limited to just nine points on a woeful three-of-13 shooting clip. Wilson, who came into this game tied with Aquino as the league’s scoring leaders with an average of 20.8 points a match, was taken out of his comfort zone and even fouled out as early as more than three minutes to go. “Our game plan was really to stop (John) Wilson and we did a great job on him,” said Agustin, a former PBA MVP. Pamboy Raymundo scattered 17 points while rookie beanpole Ian Sangalang had an all-around performance of 14 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and an assist to help in the cause.
The Bombers, led by Mark Cagoco’s 17 points and James Sena’s 14, fell in a tie with the four-peat seeking San Beda Lions on 6-1 slates

The scores:

First Game (Jrs.) Perpetual Help 97- Alolino 24, Jolangcob 19, Brito 13, Onrubia 12, Briobu 12, Allano 11, Lao 2, Inigo 2, Saldua 1, Garcia 1 Mapua 89- Alejandro 24, Basas 21, Sevilla 12, Valdez 12, Castillo 11, Mena 6, de Castro 2, dela Cruz 1, Abad 0 QS: 23-18; 45-47; 73-69; 97-89

Second Game (Jrs.) Jose Rizal 93- Vigil 26, Saret 21, Garcia 21, dela Paz 17, Oliveria 3, Barranco 3, Tanquintic 2, Yasa 0 San Sebastian 87- Delgado 29, Juamo-as 24, Ramirez 13, Estrada 11, Laconico 6, Magno 4, Leyva 0, de Guzman 0 QS: 19-18; 41-45; 66-69; 93-87

Third Game (Srs.) Perpetual Help 72- Ynion 21, Elopre 17, Salanga 9, Vivero 8, Liaz 7, Carullo 6, Rono 2, Galabin 2, Salvado 0, Hainga 0 Mapua 71- Mangahas 19, Stevens 11, Acosta 11, Pascual 10, Cornejo 8, Raneses 5, Maniego 3, Sarangay 2, Guillermo 2, Parala 0, Espinosa 0 QS: 19-24; 38-35; 58-64; 72-71

Fourth Game (Srs.) San Sebastian 91- Aquino 23, Raymundo 17, Sangalang 14, Bulawan 13, Abueva 9, Pascual 6, Najorda 4, Semira 2, Maconocido 2, del Rio 1 Jose Rizal 76- Cagoco 17, Sena 14, Wilson 9, Njei 8, Agas 7, Hayes 6, Lopez 4, Apinan 4, Kabigting 3, Matute 2, Bulangis 2, Montemayor 0 QS: 24-22; 45-43; 74-54; 91-76