The Perpetua Altasl finally stopped their three consecutive losses as Jielo Razon managed to score a successful layup with 1:31 left in the fourth quarter to give the Altas a five-point lead, 72-67.

The Pirates tried to escape the claws of Altas in a bid for a final four spot as Omar Larupay cut the lead to three after a layup with 34.3 ticks left but to no avail. 

Perpetual orchestrated a decisive defense to reject the Enoch Valdez-Mclaude Guadana strategic tandem and exhausted the game with 16.6 seconds left. 

With the victory, the Altas still have the chance to seal a spot in the final four as Kim Aurin paced the team with 22 points and five rebounds, while Razon scored 14 points, five boards, and two steals, and Cris Pagaran chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.

Lyceum, who will miss the NCAA semifinals for the first time since 2016, was led by Omar Larupay’s 17 points and 11 rebounds with the team falling to a 2-6 slate.

While the Altas with a 3-5 record will continue their play-in hopes alive as they face Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) on 29 April at the Filoil Flying V Arena, while the Pirates.

The Scores:

Perpetual 72 – Aurin 22, Razon 14, Pagaran 12, Barcuma 7, Cuevas 5, Martel 4, Egan 4, Movid 3, Boral 1, Abis 0, Omega 0, Sevilla 0.

Lyceum 69 – Larupay 17, Navarro 9, Guadana 9, Remulla 9, Bravo 8, Valdez 6, Cunanan 4, Umali 4, Guinto 2, Barba 1, Garro 0.

Quarters: 23-22; 41-36; 55-52; 72-69.