The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta pulled away late to squeak past the pesky PSP Gymers, 97-90, and march on to the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Down by two in the last three minutes, the No. 4 Altas unleashed a staggering 11-2 finishing kick to make the most out of its quarterfinal incentive and eliminate the sixth-ranked Gymers in just one try.
Perpetual will face the No. 2 seed and reigning champion EcoOil La Salle in a best-of-three Final Four series starting either on Thursday or next Tuesday depending on the result of the other quarterfinal pairing between Centro Escolar University and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran as of press time.
“We played below par at first but upon having a pep talk with the team owner, everybody was fired up,” Perpetual coach Myk Saguiguit, referring to Perpetual team owner Dr. Antonio Tamayo.
“It’s our first time in the D-League semifinals after three stints. It’s our first time to reach this feat so I hope something good will happen.”
Five players conspired for the Altas in the clutch, led by Cyrus Nitura, who showcased an all-around game and finished with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block including the dagger bucket in the last 49 seconds.
John Abis and skipper Jielo Razon added 19 and 18 points, respectively, while John Paul Boral (15) and Arthur Roque (13) also made their presence felt.
PSP kept its stride through the match and held an 86-88 lead in off Val Acuna’s trey with 2:55 left.
But the Altas had one last ace up their sleeves.
Razon completed his three-point play to put the Altas back on the driver’s seat before Nitura came away with a coast-to-coast lay-up for the dagger, 95-90.
Abis hit two free throws with 15 seconds left for the final count.
Wendell Comboy led PSP with 26 points.
