Barcuma drops career-high 22 as Perpetual routs JRU

University of Perpetual Help bucked a slow start and stepped on the gas in the second half behind the explosive performance of Rey Joey Barcuma, dealing Jose Rizal University an 84-60 routing in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Sunday, Sept. 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Barcuma provided the spark for the Altas and dropped a career-high 22 points built on a 10-of-11 shooting alongside four steals, which proved to be pivotal in the third quarter when Perpetual padded the lead.

Jelo Razon and Mark Omega contributed 13 points apiece and combined for 16 rebounds to power the Altas for their first win of the tournament.

A 28-point onslaught in the third period easily turned the tables for Perpetual as it created a comfortable 65-51 cushion and never looked back at that point.

Veteran and graduating player Kim Aurin, who scored all of his seven points in the third quarter, joined in the fray in that Altas’ second half barrage.

“They ran it properly, sumunod sa sistema. Sana ganyan kami lagi para maging competitive kami sa (Season 98),” said coach Myk Saguiguit.

“We made a lot of adjustments. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Relax lang tayo. Alam niyo naman kung saan tayo malakas.’ ‘Yong lahat ng ipinakita sa first half, hinayaan na namin.”

Jonathan Medina was the lone bright spot for the Heavy Bombers and paced the squad with 15 points and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde and Lyceum are battling it out at press time to cap off Sunday’s double-header.

The Scores:

PERPETUAL 84 — Barcuma 22, Razon 13, Omega 13, Aurin 7, Roque 5, Ferreras 5, Abis 4, Nitura 4, Egan 2, Boral 2, Martel 2, Nunez 2, Flores 2, Orgo 1, Cuevas 0

JRU 60 — Medina 15, Guiab 9, Arenal 6, Sy 5, Delos Santos 4, Miranda 4, De Jesus 4, Dela Rosa 3, Dionisio 3, Villarin 3, Amores 2, Celis 2, Joson 0, Abaoag 0, Gonzales 0, Tan 0, Famaranco 0

Quarters: 12-21, 37-36, 65-51, 84-60