Altas pump life to semis aspiration, rip Knights

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help woke up from a deep three-quarter slumber and blitzed past Letran, 73-61, to get back into Final 4 contention in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena yesterday.

Playing catch-up most of the game, the Altas turned the tide as they outgunned and outplayed the Knights in the final canto and snatched a fourth win in 10 games.

Marcus Nitura (with 17 points), Art Roque (16) and team captain Jelo Razon (13) joined forces to lead the Altas to a two-game sweep of the Knights in the elims play.

“Sa first round lang ako nanalo sa kanila (Letran) tapos ngayon,” said UPHSD mentor Myk Saguiguit as they repeated their 74-59 conquest of the Knights last Oct. 15.

The Altas sent the Knights sprawling straight to the bottom with a ninth setback against a lone win.

In the other game, St. Benilde brought down leader Mapua, 65-61, to join a three-way tie for No. 4 with the Jose Rizal U and Emilio Aguinaldo College on 6-4 slates. Mapua slipped to 8-2.