Giant-killer PCU upends Perpetual

Philippine Christian University brought down another heavyweight yesterday as it got all the breaks it needed to post a stunning 74-69 victory over Perpetual Help in the 77th NCAA men’s basketball tournament before a small but highly-amused crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

It was only the third victory in nine outings for the Dolphins but it was enough to install themselves as a certified giant-killer, their two other victories this season coming at the expense of defending champion St. Benilde and Mapua, another serious title contender.

"Our secret is that we’ve decided to dedicate all our remaining games to God. Siya na ang bahala sa amin," said PCU coach Kevin Ramas as the Dolphins, who won despite missing five charities in the final 70 seconds, celebrated the victory at centercourt.

Behind the heads-up plays of Nelbert Omolon and Bernzen Franco, the Dolphins erased a 21-29 deficit to take a 35-32 lead at the half. Three deadlocks and seven lead changes marked the third quarter which ended in Perpetual’s favor, 54-53.

But it turned out to be the last taste of the lead for the Altas, who suffered their second straight loss for a 4-5 record. Gilbert Malabanan had 33 points for Perpetual but was hardly a factor down the stretch where he committed two straight turnovers.

Chester Tolomia, the reigning PBL MVP, played way below par as he was hounded by PCU’s scrambling defense. He went 0-of-6 from the three-point area and went 4-of-8 from the two-point zone aside from committing four turnovers.

Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee decided to reset the Letran-Mapua seniors match after both teams refused to play with a malfunctioning gameclock.

Letran coach Binky Favis and Mapua counterpart Horacio Lim informed the Technical Committee, headed by Acting Commissioner Charlie Badion, of their refusal to play due to a defective gameclock.

The said game will be played instead on Thursday at 10 a.m.