The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA escaped a late rally from Jose Rizal University, 85-78, to maintain its hold of the top spot in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Junior Altas were leading 76-62 with 6:23 remaining in the fourth period before the Light Bombers unloaded a 12-0 run capped by back-to-back baskets from Lee Marin to close the gap. Lebron Daep then broke the Las Piñas-based squad's dry spell with a jumper before Icee Callangan's freebies gave Perpetual an 80-74 lead.
Niño Ferrer gave another chance to JRU with 34 ticks left, but Callangan and Jim Corpuz' free throws virtually handed Perpetual the win even with Jayson Castillo's last-ditch effort for the Light Bombers. Jan Roluna's split then capped the Junior Altas' fifth win in six games.
The Junior Altas had a 35-16 lead before the first half ended at 47-33.
"Against JRU, 'yung rally nila, first quarter pa lang alam ko nang may mangyayaring ganon," Cleopas said.
"Even though we're leading 14, iba ang instructions ko sa player eh. Precautionary. Even last eight or six seconds, I still called a timeout kasi alam ko parang manok 'yan na pag buhay pa sisipa pa rin 'yan. Credits to JRU, I believe they're becoming a stronger team now and marami pang ilalabas 'yan. We're just blessed to get the win today," he added.
Lebron Daep had 15 points, eight rebounds, a steal, and a block, while Corpuz, Jan Pagulayan, and Jericho Cristino had 13 points apiece for the Junior Altas.
Lee Marin finished with 24 points, while Lexi Callueng added 16 points as JRU slipped to 2-4 in the standings.
Scores:
Perpetual 85 – Daep 15, Pagulayan 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, Sapatram 4, Ferrer 4, Ong 2, Pinzon 2, Tolworthy 0, To 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 47-33, 70-55, 85-78.
—GMA Integrated News
