University of Perpetual Help found ways to keep Emilio Aguinaldo College in check all game to eke out a 73-67 victory on Sunday and seize solo third in NCAA Season 100 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
The Altas led from start to finish and relied mostly on rookie sensation Mark Gojo Cruz, who was all over the floor with a game-best 18 points that he laced with two triples on top of six assists, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
That put UPHSD alone at No. 3 with a 3-2 record after sharing it with five other teams including EAC going into the game.
It also somehow felt like a soothing balm to ache that was caused by the embarrassing 78-51 spanking the Altas received from the College of St. Benilde Blazers, the solo leaders who own a pristine 4-0 card.
Co-captain Christian Pagaran did well too with 15 points, nine boards and four dimes while Cedrick Abis chipped in 11 points for the Olsen Racela-mentored Las Pinas-based dribblers.
But none shone the brightest in Gojo Cruz, a product of UPHSD’s high school program who continued to flourish in his debut season.
The Generals slipped to 2-3.
