Perpetual Help keeps San Sebastián winless

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help kept San Sebastián College-Recoletos winless with a 82-75 victory in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Friday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Perpetual Help improved to a 4-8 win-loss record and will finish fourth in Group B while San Sebastian ended the preliminary round with a 0-13 slate. The two teams, however, will meet again in the play-in round where the Altas hold a twice-to-beat advantage over the Golden Stags for the last berth in the quarterfinal round. Perpetual Help was led by Mark Gojo Cruz and Juan Tulabut, who both scored 19 points, while LA Casinillo added 14 points. “Fortunately, coach Olsen (Racela) reminded us to always play like underdogs,” said assistant Allan Albano. The Altas held a 74-62 cushion late in the final period before the Stags pulled a 9-1 run to trim the deficit to four, 75-71, with 2:04 to go. Gojo Cruz, however, dropped the dagger with an inside shot before Jim Corpuz iced the game with a perfect trip from the free-throw line for the 79-71 advantage with under a minute to go in the game. Niel Castor turned in 18 points for San Sebastián while Ralph Gabat...