The Perpetual Junior Altas are well on their way to making NCAA history as they inch closer to winning their first-ever juniors basketball gold after downing the Benilde-LSGH Greenies in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series, 100-96.

The Junior Altas led for most of the game, even leading by 13 (85-72) at one point in the fourth quarter, but had to fend off a late fightback from the gutsy Greenies. 

Lebron Jhames Daep, adjudged best player of the game, wreaked havoc with 21 points, nine boards and two assists to steer the Altas, spoiling yet another high-scoring performance by the Greenies’ Guillian Quines who dropped 29 markers. 

The Joph Cleopas-coached squad also got sizable help from Jan Roluna (20p, 5r, 2a, 3s), Jericho Cristino (14p, 7r), Dan Pagulayan (13p, 4r, 6a), and Dan Rosales (12p, 2r).

The win brings the Junior Altas to a win away from getting their first-ever NCAA juniors championship, and gives them a chance to finally redeem their heartbreak loss in the Season 99 finals.

Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Finals is slated to happen on Sunday, April 13, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.