Transferee Kim Aurin struggled all afternoon with his accuracy.
But the 6'1" Aurin, who moved from Jose Rizal University, made up for this in the closing seconds and lifted the University of Perpetual Help Altas to a 76-74 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at their own homecourt at the EAC gymnasium in Manila.
Making 12 points in the 15 minutes he saw action, Aurin knocked in one of two charity shots in the last 12 seconds before preserving the win as he got in the way of Jerome Garcia's final attempt at the buzzer.
His efforts helped send the Altas to their second win in three games in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's basketball tournament.
“The Generals played with a lot of confidence. Nandito sila sa bahay nila. We can't just humiliate them here. So, grabe ang effort nila. In the end, it went down to making stops,” said Altas coach Frankie Lim.
The Generals, led by Maui Cruz with 18 points, played inspired with a home crowd cheering them on.
The Altas, with Edgar Charcos leading with 22 points, enjoyed a 74-69 edge in the last 57 seconds off Aurin's split freebie.
That's when the Generals scored on two quick plays, first on a putback by Garcia, and off Cruz's steal from Jeric Diego and a triple allowing EAC to threaten, 74-75, in the remaining 13 seconds.
“Kailangang mag step-up para sa team. Lahat kami malas sa shooting. Sinuwerte ako sa huli,” said the 21-year-old Aurin, who had a 23 percent field goal percentage.
Prince Eze had a double-double for the Altas as he drilled in 15 points and had 22 rebounds.
The Generals got 17 points from Garcia, and 12 from Hamadou Laminou.
Meanwhile, newbies Bhen Lozano, Ely Ilustrisimo, and Adrian Balowa provided leadership in the endgame to lift the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy Brigadiers to an 83-78 win over the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas.
Their big plays in the fourth period pushed the Brigadiers to their first win in three games in the junior division.
The Junior Altas absorbed their first setback in three matches and now share the lead with the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, who topped the San Beda Red Cubs, 73-62, the other day.
The Red Cubs suffered their second straight loss — their worst start in the history of the tournament.
