Perpetual shocks letran

THE PERPETUAL Help Altas dealt the Letran Knights a crucial blow as they upset the latter, 68-53, in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The dam broke for the Knights at the end of the third period, where the Altas staged a daring breakaway with a 10-0 run fueled by Anthony Paulino which gave them a 53-44 lead. The Altas staved off the Knights with makes from Scottie Thompson, Jett Vidal and Chris Elopre, whose three-pointer gave them a 64-51 lead with two minutes remaining.

Vidal led all scorers with 18 points, including a 7-of-8 stint at the foul line. Justine Alano and Elopre backed him up with 10 points each, while Paulino scored eight markers in 15 minutes, including two triples. Perpetual Help was able to pull off a role-reversal, forcing Letran to 23 turnovers, which they scored 21 points off as the sloppy Knights never got into a groove./Correspondent Jonas Panerio