Roque stars as Altas frustrate Red Lions

Art Roque bounced back from his lackluster showing the last time out and powered Perpetual to a 61-57 win over San Beda in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Friday, Nov. 10.

Roque, who only scored one point in their game against Arellano, muscled his way against the Red Lions and listed 19 points, seven rebounds and a steal as the Altas kept their semis bid alive with their seventh win in 14 games.

Christian Pagaran chalked up 12 points while Mark Omega backstopped him with a double-double effort of 10 points and 11 rebounds to fill up the numbers that went missing on Jelo Razon’s quiet six-point outing.

Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit emphasized the need for his wards to step up after San Beda got the better of them in the first round, 62-60.

“It’s all about hustle, the last time they beat us dahil sa rebound nung dulo, di naman naboxout,” Saguiguit said.

“Sabi ko pag nagawa natin yan mamaya we have the chance to beat San Beda, so nangyari nga,” he added.

On the back seat for most part of the first three quarters, San Beda stole the momentum midway in the payoff period when Jacob Cortez, who finished with 22 points, nailed a three-pointer to level the score at 51-apiece.

However, the Altas countered with a 7-0 run led by Roque and Pagaran to seize a 58-51 advantage.

Undeterred, the Mendiola-based squad fought back after Cortez and James Payosing brought them to within three, 60-57, with 16.3 seconds to play.

Unfortunately, the efforts were not enough as Perpetual held its ground in the dying seconds.

Yukien Andrada registered 11 points and five rebounds while Payosing added seven as the Red Lions slid to 8-5.