University of Perpetual Help kept its fairy tale run going as it stunned defending champion Letran, 94-88, yesterday to seize the solo lead in NCAA Season 99 junior basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The Junior Altas needed a massive second quarter onslaught that enabled them to erect a huge lead that proved enough to weather Letran’s uprising and hike their record to 7-1.
Another triumph over a dangerous San Sebastian Sunday would seal UPHSD a place in the top two, if not catapult it straight to the top, and the critical twice-to-beat Final Four incentive that goes with it.
Amiel Acido continued to make a case for the MVP plum as he erupted for 27 points, 17 of which came in the third quarter when the Junior Altas parried repeated rallies by the back-to-back seeking Squires.
The Squires fell to 6-2.
Already, UPHSD, Letran and Mapua (6-1), which was battling SSC-R (5-2) at press time, already booked a ticket each to the Final Four bus after San Beda stumbled to Jose Rizal U, 82-79, in the other game.
The Bombers improved to 3-5 while the Cubs slipped to 4-4.
San Beda, however, still has a chance to make it to the Final Four, albeit slim.
In another result, Emilio Aguinaldo College (3-5) edged Arellano U (1-7), 92-87.
The scores:
First Game
JRU 82- Marin 18, Rivera 14, Enal 13, Pineda 11,
Abequibel 8, Natividad 6, Guarino 5, Capistrano 3, Rico 2, Taparan 2, Ferrer 0, Pinzon 0, Castillo 0
San Beda 79- Lorenzo 20, Canete 19, Ugaddan 10, Batong Bakal 9, Viloces 7, Dollente 5, Sollano 5, Mercado 2, Mondigo 2, Wagan 0, Medroso 0, San Juan 0, Feliciano 0
Quarterscores: 23-13; 42-36; 59-57; 82-79
Second Game
UPHSD 94- Acido 27, Gojo Cruz 17, Pagulayan 14, Darp 11, Diaz 6, Baldoria 5, Borja 4, Ayon 3, Valencia 3, Callangan 2, Roluna 2, Cristino 0
Letran 88- Manalili 21, Baliling 21, Navarro 19, Padillas 15, Diamante 6, Cruz 2, Silorio 2, De Leon 2, Hugo 0, Villanueva 0, Gazzingan 0, Reyes 0, Golez 0
Quarterscores: 19-22; 49-37; 78-64; 94-88
Third Game
EAC 92- Castillo 30, Asay 18, Jawali 9, Coronel 9, Mariquit 8, Campana 5, Bautista 4, Razo 4, Luna 2, Lumbo 2, Iraham 1, Tecson 0, Canonigo 0
AU 87- Reguera 25, Espinosa 16, Yu 12, Franco 9, Javier 6, Mendoza 6, Montesclaros 4, Distrito 4, Austria 3, Pascual 2, Pangilinan 0, Vergara 0, Llantos 0, Novillo 0, Tanudtanod 0
Quarterscores: 24-15; 46-43; 68-68; 92-87.
