By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Perpetual Help Altas fended off a furious late charge by the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates to notch a 73-61 victory in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan City on Sunday, October 5.

Negrense guard Shawn Orgo provided a steady presence for the Altas, finishing with nine points, four assists and two rebounds to backstop their balanced attack.

Mark Gojo Cruz led Perpetual with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Jearico Nuñez added a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Altas improved to 2-0.

Perpetual appeared to have the game under control after building an 18-point margin, 67-49.

But Lyceum came storming back with a 12-0 run that trimmed the gap to just six, 67-61, with 1:12 left.

However, the Altas regrouped as John Cedrick Abis and Patrick Sleat delivered clutch baskets to restore a double-digit lead and seal the win.

In the second game, the San Beda Red Lions leaned on a second-half explosion from Agjanti Miller to defeat the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 68-58.

Miller powered San Beda with a game-high 22 points on top of five rebounds, four assists and a steal as the Red Lions climbed to 2-0.

Ilonggo John Bryan Sajonia chipped in 11 points, mostly in the first half, as the team prevailed despite the absence of forward Yukien Andrada.

San Beda trailed 44-45 before Sajonia and Miller sparked a rally that gave them a 53-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Letran pulled within four, 62-58, but two free throws from John Bismark Lina and consecutive baskets from Miller shut the door on the Knights.

Jonathan Manalili topscored for Letran with 13 points, while Deo Cuajao added 10 as they slipped to 1-2./ASC, WDJ