The Perpetual Altas mean business in Season 101. 

Perpetual remains the only undefeated team in Group A after grinding out a 75-65 win over the defending champs Mapúa Cardinals on Wednesday.

After a tightly contested first half, the now 3-0 Altas came out firing in the last two quarters (18-13, 18-12) to ultimately leave the Cardinals in the rear-view mirror.

Patrick Sleat packed the box score with an all-around showing– 12 points, 10 boards, five assists, three blocks, and an assist– to earn the best player of the game nod.

JP Boral top-scored for the Altas with 15 points, three boards, and two dimes laced with crucial makes in crunchtime that paved the way for the Olsen Racela-coached squad to pull away.

Hot-shooting LA Casinilio also helped the cause for Las Pinas, scoring 13 markers on 3-of-5 three-point shooting in only 15 minutes of play, while sophomore Mark Gojo Cruz added 12 points and four rebounds. 

Mapúa was led by JC Recto’s efficient 16 points, but struggled to extract production from their usual prospects. 

Ace recruit Cyril Gonzales contributed 15 points but not without difficulty, only converting seven out of 21 total attempts from the field (33.3%). 

Cyrus Cuenco added eight markers but could not find his usual shooting tempo, going 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. Last season’s Finals MVP Clint Escamis also could not figure out his own slump, tallying six points with only three makes out of 13 shots.

Perpetual outrebounded (47-33) and outgunned (10-7 threes) Mapúa en route to their third straight victory in as many games in Group A. 

Mapúa, meanwhile, slides down to 2-1.

SCORES:
UPHSD 75 - Boral 15, Casinilio 13, Sleat 12, Gojo Cruz 12, Orgo 9, Alcantara 4, Abis 4, Maglupay 3, Nunez 3, Tulabut 0, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0

MU 65 - Recto 16, Gonzales 15, Cuenco 8, Lazarte 7, Escamis 6, Gulapa 3, Concepcion 2, Nitura 2, Sapasap 2, Delos Reyes 2, Reyes 2, Ryan 0, Callangan 0