By: Leiniel Santos
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA took solo first in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament after a commanding 71-39 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University, Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Junior Altas went up to 4-1 with the win, creating a one-game separation from the rest of the contenders.
Despite the dominant victory, Junior Altas head coach John Cleopas emphasized that there is still room for improvement.
“Constant reminder lang sa mga bata na on and off the game, we need to overcome ourselves. Still more work to do,” Cleopas said.
Perpetual dictated the pace from the opening tip, smothering Lyceum defensively and holding them to single-digit scoring in both the first and second quarters.
Although the Junior Pirates ramped up their aggression in the second half, Perpetual’s explosive start had already put the game out of reach.
Twelve of the 15 Junior Altas players contributed to the scoreboard, led by Jim Corpuz with 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Lebron Jhames Daep also recorded 11 points and seven rebounds, while Jan Roluna chipped in 10 points and four rebounds.
In other matches, Malayan High School escaped Arellano University with a tight 81-78 win. Meanwhile, San Sebastian College-Recoletos surged past Jose Rizal University with a 68-58 victory.
Both games marked each team’s first two-game winning streak of the season.
The Red Robins went up to 3-2 with the win, tying the LSGH Greenies, the San Beda Red Cubs, and the Letran Squires for a share of second.
The Red Robins edged the Braves behind Sean Salvador’s 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists and Yuri Duque’s 16 points, four rebounds, and eight assists.
Arellano started strong, opening the game with a dominant 19-4 run, led by Axel Mendoza’s 10-point burst.
However, Mapúa responded with a 26-point second quarter, erasing the deficit and seizing a slim 40-38 lead at halftime.
The fourth quarter was a tightly contested affair, with both teams exchanging blows in a back-and-forth battle filled with deadlocks.
With 1:38 remaining, Mapúa’s Ruzzel Poso scored a crucial layup to give his team a one-point lead. The Red Robins held firm defensively in the final minute to secure the win.
Poso finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Allan Laurenaria contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and one assist.
“Eto ‘yung chance namin sa back-to-back wins, so ang sabi ko na expect niyo na walang safe dito. Kahit natalo natin ‘yung no. 1, ‘yung sa bottom pwedeng anytime kaya tayong talunin,” said Red Robins head coach John Ross Dela Cruz, stressing the unpredictability of the competition.
Meanwhile, with the game tied at 51-all heading into the final frame, the Staglets then opened the fourth quarter with a crucial 6-2 run, shifting the momentum in their favor
JRU tried to halt the surge with a basket from Jayson Castillo, but San Sebastian responded with an 8-0 run to stretch their lead to 10, 65-55.
Unlike their previous win, where only Sanlea Penaverde scored in double digits, this time, multiple Staglets stepped up.
Carlo Ynot delivered 19 points, three rebounds, and six assists, while Benedick Jimenez added 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Their combined efforts lifted San Sebastian to a tie for seventh with the Light Bombers and the Braves.
Penaverde also continued his strong play with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
“Nag-step up si Ynot, actually revelation nga eh. ‘Di namin expected na first-year player… Napakatapang nung bata,” said Staglets head coach Juan Miguel Martin, praising Ynot’s breakout performance.
For JRU, Lexi Callueng finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while CJ Satparam had 11 points and five rebounds.
Arellano had four players in double figures, led by Mendoza’s double-double of 21 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist. Sean Franco added 20 points, three rebounds, and one assist, while Denver Baluyot and Chris Dy contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.
For Lyceum, which remained winless in five games, Zyren Panerion led the team with nine points and four rebounds, but no Junior Pirate managed to break the double-digit mark.
The Scores
Third Game
SSC-R 68 – Ynot 19, Penaverde 16, Jimenez 15, Herrera 6, Melano 5, Apostol 3, Victoria 2, Rosales 2, Gunting 0, Bautista 0, Rodriguez 0, Candare 0, Marasigan 0
JRU 58 – Callueng 11, Satparam 11, Almario 8, Taparan 8, Abequibel 6, Marin 5, To 2, Castillo 2, Armendez 1, Quilban 0, Ferrer 0, Vocalan 0,
Quarterscores: 13-12, 31-34, 51-51, 68-58
Fourth Game
MHS 81 – Salvador 20, Duque 16, Del Poso 15, Laurenaria 14, Rodriguez 8, Miranda 6, Reyes 2, Bagro 0, Bernabe 0, Tagocon 0, Catapang 0, Banal 0
AU 78 – Mendoza 21, Franco 20, Baluyot 12, Dy 10, Ladica 7, Manasala 5, Yusi 2, Aurita 1, Vergara 0, Pascual 0, Austria 0, Tagorda 0, Pillas 0, Distrito 0, Pangilinan 0
Quarterscores: 14-22, 40-38, 56-61, 81-78
Fifth Game
UPHSD 71 – Corpuz 11, Daep 11, Roluna 10, Calangan 8, Baldoria 6, Rosales 6, Cristino 4, Tabbuan 4, Zanoria 4, Pagulayan 3, Nitura 2, Velasquez 2, Llupar 0, Borja 0, Zamoras 0
LPU 39 – Panerio 9, Abrantes 8, Poli 4, Lontok 4, Enguio 3, Melchor 2, Mercado 2, Araneta 2, Pelayo 2, Conde 2, Creus 0, Julio 0, Pena 0
Quarterscores: 24-8, 46-16, 58-26, 71-39
