By: Leiniel Santos
Defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran and last season’s runner-up University of Perpetual Help System DALTA started their campaigns on the right foot in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament, Monday.
The Squires flexed their might over the Lyceum Junior Pirates with a commanding 63-45 victory, marking a triumphant debut for new head coach Willie Miller.
Meanwhile, the Junior Altas made a strong statement by taking down fellow contender Malayan School Red Robins, 86-80.
Despite stepping into the shoes of two-time NCAA champion coach and current Letran Knights mentor Allen Ricardo, Miller remains unfazed by the responsibility placed upon him.
“Kung championship kaagad ‘yung tinitignan mo, talo ka na agad. So you take it one game at a time, kung ano ‘yung mangyayari then you adjust,” said Miller, a multiple-time NCAA seniors champion with the Knights.
Letran pulled away in the third quarter after a tightly contested first half.
The trio of Justine Hugo, Syrex Silorio, and Basti Reyes sparked a 10-2 run, giving the Squires a comfortable 31-19 cushion.
From there, Letran never looked back, extending its lead to as much as 18 points, 63-45, after a Jhuniel Dela Rama jumper in the closing moments of the third canto.
Dela Rama led the Squires with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting, along with 11 rebounds.
Silorio added 12 points, while UAAP Season 85 Mythical Team member Daryl Valdeavilla made his Letran debut, contributing three points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
On the other hand, Perpetual’s prized big man Lebron Jhames Daep showcased why he is considered one of this batch’s top prospects.
The 6-foot-7 big man out of Legazpi City, Albay put up 20 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks to power the Junior Altas to victory.
However, it was far from an easy win for Perpetual.
The Junior Altas once held an 18-point lead, only to see it dwindle to just four, 84-80, with a minute remaining.
Fortunately for Perpetual, Icee Callangan delivered a crucial basket, while their defense stepped up in the final moments to fend off the Red Robins’ comeback attempt.
“I’m not surprised na gano’n ‘yung lalaruin ng kalaban kasi I believe that they are well-coached… Medyo naging slow lang talaga kami kasi medyo baka nanibago,” said Junior Altas head coach Joph Cleopas.
Jan Roluna provided ample support for Daep, finishing with 18 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, along with five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Callangan added 11 points and six assists, while Jericho Cristino chipped in 10 points.
Former UST Tiger Cub Kurt Velasquez also made his presence felt, contributing seven points in just 14 minutes of play.
For the Red Robins, Noah Banal led the charge with 21 points, while Sean Salvador added 13.
Former FEU Baby Tamaraw Dwyne Miranda, who will be a one-and-done player for Mapua, tallied 14 points and six assists.
As for Lyceum, Cleafford Dag-um and Zyren Panerio led the Junior Pirates with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
CSJL 63 – Dela Rama 14, Silorio 12, Hugo 8, Quinores 5, Alforque 5, Padilla 4, Cruz 4, Reyes 4, Valdeavilla 3, Magacale 3, Villanueva 1, Quijada 0, Lumague 0, Cargo 0, Danan 0.
LPU 45 – Dag-um 12, Panerio 10, Melchor 5, Abrantes 4, Creus 4, Enguio 3, Pena 3, Conde 2, Poli 2, Lontok 0, Pelayo 0, Julio 0.
Quarterscores: 15-10, 23-19, 44-33, 63-45.
Second Game
UPHSD 86 – Daep 20, Roluna 18, Callagan 11, Cristino 10, Velasquez 7, Baldona 7, Rosales 5, Pagulayan 3, Borja 2, Corpuz 2, Tabbuan 1, Nitura 0.
MU 80 – Banal 21, Miranda 14, Salvador 13, Rodriguez 9, Duque 7, Bernabe 6, Poso 6, Bagro 4, Reyes 0, Loriaga 0, Laurenaria 0, Catapang 0, Tolentino 0, Gragasin 0.
Quarterscores: 22-27, 41-44, 74-59, 86-80.
