By: Leiniel Santos
University of Perpetual System DALTA maintained its top spot with a hard-fought 85-78 victory over the gritty Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Perpetual now stands firm atop the standings with a 5-1 record.
The Junior Altas dominated early, establishing a commanding 19-point lead, 35-16.
However, unlike their previous matches, the Light Bombers launched a furious 19-6 run in the fourth quarter, cutting Perpetual’s lead to just two points.
A crucial two-pointer from the Junior Altas halted JRU’s momentum and stretched the lead back to six, 80-76. Despite JRU’s late push, Perpetual held on to secure the seven-point win.
“Maintaining is like maintaining the fundamentals — ayusin lang and ‘wag kumalas sa ginagawa… And aralin pa talaga ‘yung laro namin,” head coach John Cleopas said regarding their strategy to sustain their winning momentum.
Lebron Daep led the Junior Altas with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Jan Pagulayan, Jim Corpuz, and Jericho Cristino each added 13 points.
In other games, Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Concepcion Academy survived San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 76-73, after staging a comeback victory. Meanwhile, Arellano University outshined La Salle Green Hills, 91-84.
The Brigadiers now hold a 4-2 record, while the Braves and Greenies share identical 3-3 slates, with both the Staglets and Braves standing at 2-4.
The Brigadiers dictated the pace early on, but San Sebastian refused to back down, trimming EAC-ICA’s lead to just two points in the final frame, 72-70.
The closing minutes saw both teams trading baskets in a tense back-and-forth battle. San Sebastian’s Sanlea Penaverde converted two of three free throws after a foul by Golden Staglet Gedrick Luna from beyond the arc.
Despite this, the Brigadiers kept their composure in the dying seconds to secure the win.
“Sabi ko naman sa mga bata, bawal kaming matalo dito kasi knockout game ‘to for us. Gusto namin pumasok ng Final Four, kaya buti na lang ando’n ‘yung composure sa dulo,” said EAC-ICA head coach Noy Catalan.
EJ Castillo spearheaded EAC-ICA’s offense with a standout 28-point, nine-rebound performance. Ian Cujao added 14 points, three rebounds, and five assists.
In the second match, Arellano trailed LSGH for most of the game as the Greenies controlled the tempo through the first three quarters.
However, the Braves shifted momentum in the fourth quarter, applying pressure on LSGH’s scorers and turning the tide. Arellano built their largest lead at eight points, 88-80, in the final minute.
LSGH had two crucial three-point attempts in the closing seconds but failed to convert.
“‘Di namin ma-control ‘yung (Guillian) Quines and (Ram) Sharma kaya nag-gamble ako sa zone defense, and ayun, nahabol namin ‘yung lamang nila,” said Arellano head coach Jun Cuevas, explaining their key defensive adjustment.
Johnray Medina paced the Braves with 24 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Chris Dy contributed 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Axel Mendoza posted a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and one assist.
For San Sebastian, Penaverde’s 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists, combined with Jhon Melano’s 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, were not enough to sustain their streak.
Meanwhile, Quines starred for LSGH with 26 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Ram Sharma and Arle Podador added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
For JRU, Lee Marin finished with 24 points, two rebounds, and one assist. Lexi Callueng chipped in 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Jayson Castillo tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds, while James Almario added 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists — but their combined efforts fell short in the end.
The Scores:
First Game
EAC-ICA 76 – Castillo 28, Cuajao 14, Coronel 9, Luna 7, Lanceta 6, Bonus 4, Canonigo 4, Tecson 4, Iraham 0, Taganas 0, Razo 0, Bautista 0, Asay 0, Lumbo 0
SSCR 73 –Penaverde 24, Melano 19, Rosales 8, Herrera 5, Jimenez 4, Maragisan 3, Ynot 3, Victoria 3, Apostol 2, Candare 2, Bautista 0, Hadji Casan 0, Rodriguez 0
Quarterscores: 18-18, 42-38, 63-54, 76-73
Second Game
AU 91 – Ladica 24, Dy 17, Mendoza 13, Manansala 9, Distrito 8, Franco, 7, Pillas 3, Yusi 3, Tagorda 3, Baluyot 2, Vergara 2, Aurita 0, Pascual 0
LSGH 84 – Uines 26, Shamra 14, Podador 10, Ortega 8, Gomez 7, Yutuc 5, Ison 4, Peralta 4, Osis 3, Abad 3, Hachuela 0
Quarterscores: 20-21, 42-43, 65-70, 91-84
Third Game
UPHSD 85 – Daep 15, Pagilayan 13, Corpuz 13, Cristino 13, Callangan 7, Roluna 7, Tabbuan 6, Velasquez 5, Rosales 3, Baldoria 3, Nitura 0, Borja 0
JRU 78 – Marin 24, Callueng 16, Castillo 12, Almario 10, Abequibel 4, Satparam 4, Ferrer 4, Ong 2, Pinzon 2, Tolworthy 0, To 0
Quarterscores: 24-16, 47-33, 70-55, 85-78
