By: Leiniel Santos
University of Perpetual Help System Dalta secured at least a playoff spot for the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Final Four after dominating Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy, 103-84, Sunday at the EAC Gym in Manila.
The Junior Altas maintained their grip at the top of the standings with a 6-1 record.
Perpetual set the pace early, controlling the match from the outset. However, the Brigadiers turned the tide with a strong second-quarter performance, outscoring the Junior Altas 32-18.
Fortunately for Perpetual, Lebron Jhames Daep’s two free throws and Jan Pagulayan’s three-pointer early in the third quarter sparked a massive 30-12 surge, allowing them to regain control.
The game saw both teams alternating periods of dominance, but the Brigadiers crumbled when Perpetual reclaimed the lead, 67-64.
From there, the Junior Altas intensified their offensive attack, building momentum to become just the second team this season to breach the 100-point mark — following San Beda’s earlier 105-68 rout of Arellano.
“We don’t wanna look at the top four kasi wala naman nagcha-champion don; we don’t look at the standings yet… For now, we will treat every game like our last game,” said Junior Altas head coach Joph Cleopas.
It was a total team effort for Perpetual, with 12 out of 14 players contributing to the scoreboard, including four in double figures.
Pagulayan erupted for 21 points, four rebounds, and one assist, while Daep added 17 points, eight rebounds, and an assist.
Jericho Cristino also tallied 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Roluna chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Meanwhile, La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) defeated the winless Lyceum of the Philippines University, 100-92.
With the victory, LSGH improved to 4-3, tying San Beda and EAC-ICA for third to fifth place.
The Greenies had a slow start but managed to shake off their early struggles, seizing the lead and never looking back.
Despite the win, head coach Renren Ritualo emphasized the need for consistency, acknowledging the team’s up-and-down performance.
“Now, we need to focus on our next two games because it is very critical kasi di pa rin kami nakakapag back-to-back [win],” he said.
Guillian Quines led LSGH with 31 points, five rebounds, and six assists, while Gian Gomez contributed 18 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Ram Sharma and Arle Podador added 10 points apiece.
For the Junior Pirates, Jericho Abrantes finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, and one assist.
Cleafford Dag-um had 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Zyren Panerio added 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists. However, their efforts were not enough to secure their first win of the season.
To close the day, Red Robin Ruzzel Del Poso exploded from beyond the arc, leading Mapúa-Malayan University to fend off Jose Rizal University, 74-61.
Mapúa moved up to second place with a 5-2 record, sharing the spot with Letran.
Del Poso finished with 21 points on a scorching 7-of-11 clip from three-point range, while Allan Laurencia delivered a double-double of 12 points, 16 rebounds, and one assist.
Mapúa head coach John Ross Dela Cruz was unsurprised by his team’s performance, noting that their execution in the game mirrored their training sessions.
“Ang sinasabi ko lang, mag-start lahat dapat sa defense and doon kami kukuha ng momentum sa offense. Nagkataon na nag-click lahat, pero ginagawa nanaman nila ‘yan sa training,” he said.
Brigadiers standout EJ Castillo put up 26 points, seven attacks, and seven steals, while Adrian Lanceta and Ian Cuajao contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Light Bombers’ Lexi Cullueng tallied 12 points, one rebound, and one assist, while James Almario contributed 11 points and two rebounds.
JRU remains tied with San Sebastian in eighth to ninth place with a 2-5 record.
The Scores
Third Game:
UPHSD 103 – Pagulayan 21, Cristino 17, Daep 17, Roluna 15, Nitura 7, Corpuz 6, Rosales 6, Tabbuan 4, Baldoria 3, Callangan 3, Zanoria 2, Dela Cruz 2, Borja 0, Zamoras 0
EAC-ICA 84 – Castillo EJ 26, Lanceta 18, Cuajao 16, Coronel 7, Bonus 6, Canonigo 4, Campana 2, Bautista 2, Razo 2, Luna 1, Taganas 0, Lumbo 0, Tecson 0, Castillo Ey 0
Quarterscores: 24-20, 42-52, 72-64, 103-84
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Fourth Game:
LSGH 100 – Quines 31, Gomez 18, Sharma 10, Podador 10, Ortega 9, Ison 6, Abad 5, Hizon 5, Gonzales 3, Peralta 2, Hanchuela 1, Yutuc 0, Torres 0, Calanasan 0, Osis 0
LPU 92 – Abranes 30, Dag-um 18, Panerio 12, Poli 8, Pelayo 8, Enguio 5, Conde 3, Pena 2, Altamirano 2, Creus 2, Mercado 2, Julio 0, Melchor 0
Quarterscores: 31-25, 52-39, 82-71, 100-91
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Fifth Game:
MHS 74 – Del Poso 21, Launeria 12, Coronel 9, Bernabe 6, Rodriguez 6, Salvador 5, Miranda 4, Duque 3, Tagocon 2, Loriaga 2, Bagro 2, Reyes 2, Catapang 0, Banal 0
JRU 61 – Callueng 12, Alamrio 11, Abequibel 8, Taparan 8, Lacusong 8, Marin 4, Ong 4, Pinzon 4, Castillo 2, Satparam 0, Tolworthy 0, To 0, Ferrer 0
Quarterscores: 18-16, 48-25, 63-40, 74-61
