Perpetual stuns NCAA powerhouse Letran in FilOil caging

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help stunned Letran, 76-72, in the FilOil-Flying V Preseason Manny V. Pangilinan Cup at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City. The Altas, NCAA’s perennial whipping boys, scored the last six points of the contest all in the final minute to complete the upset. Raffy Ynion capped Perpetual’s comeback scoring the go-ahead basket with 19.6 seconds left in the match. Letran guard Kevin Alas tried to answer back at the other end but missed in his layup attempt. Jason Salvado sealed the win for the Altas with two free throws. “We are still adjusting to the system," said newly-appointed Perpetual coach Boris Aldeguer. “That is what I am trying to find out." Both teams were missing key players with the Knights without RP Smart Gilas players RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra. Perpetual played without Ronald Reyes, Neil Dela Cruz and John Paul Galabin due to various injuries. Perpetual also lost Nathaniel Salanga after being hit hard at the back by Kirk Del Rosario in a fastbreak play, 3:16 left in the fourth quarter. “It was just all heart," Aldeguer mentioned. “They got fired up after they saw what happened to Salanga." Ynion led Perpetual with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Salanga scored 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals before leaving the game. Salvado and Chrisper Elorpe – who also had five rebounds and six assists – combined for 24 points. Alas paced Letran with 20 points, six rebounds and five feeds. Reymar Gutilban and Jaypee Belencion both finished with 16 points. In the second game, Ateneo eked out a 77-76 win against Jose Rizal University. Eric Salamat led Ateneo with 17 points while Nonoy Baclao came up with 13. Rabeh Al-Hussaini scored 12 with Justin Chua adding 11. Cagoco led the Mandaluyong-based Bombers with 19 markers. James Sena and Marvin Hayes added 16 and 11 each. At the start of the juniors division, Ateneo High School trounced La Salle-Greenhills, 81-33. – GMANews.TV