WITHOUT ace forward Kim Aurin who sat out the knockout match due to chicken pox, Perpetual got all the help it needed to realize a lofty goal against College of St. Benilde yesterday.
The Altas turned back the Blazers 76-64 to clinch the No. 4 slot in the Final Four of the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
John Abis was foremost among those who rose to the challenge for Perpetual with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Jielo Razon chipped in 13 markers, 11 boards, and three dimes.
Jeff Egan, Cris Pagaran, and JP Boral also had 13, 12, and 11 points, respectively, for the Altas, who advanced to the semifinals after missing the cut in the last cage wars in 2019.
Perpetual, coming off a 59-52 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs last Sunday, will take on defending champion and No. 1 Letran, which is armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, in the Final Four kicking off on Sunday at the same venue.
No. 2 Mapua University, also with a win-once bonus, will tackle third seed San Beda University.
A deciding tiff or tiffs, if necessary, will be played on next Wednesday. The best-of-three finals will begin on May 15.
The Blazers failed to redeem themselves from a sorry 57-63 loss to the Red Lions last Sunday that stretched their Final Four drought to 20 years.
First-year Altas coach Myk Saguiguit told his wards to play for Aurin and they heeded his call.
“Pagkagising ko, wala raw iyong Kim Aurin. Sabi ko maglaro tayo para kay Kim Aurin,” Saguiguit said. “Let’s give it to him. Nag-respond naman mga player natin,” he added.
CSB whipped Perpetual 83-73 in their elimination round battle last April 9.
The Altas zoomed to a fast start and led by as much as 40-25 in the first half.
The Blazers went on a 12-0 run to come to within 37-40 early in the third quarter but Abis restored order with six straight points that took the fight out of CSB.
JC Cullar carried the fight for the Blazers with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Will Gozum had 13 markers and 13 caroms. Jay Flores also contributed 10 for CSB, who played without AJ Benson who served a one-game suspension after committing two unsportsmanlike fouls in their game against San Beda.
