By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Perpetual Help ended its preliminary assignment on a high note, beating Letrán, 85-70, in a rematch of last season’s finale to clinch the No. 1 spot in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament on Monday, Jan. 31, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Jan Roluna led the Junior Altas’ third-quarter assault to take a sizable 20-point lead, 60-40, which was enough to take the fight out of the reigning titlist and finish the single-round elims with an 8-1 mark.
Perpetual also secured the top seeding last season only to be denied by the Squires in a thrilling best-of-three title series.
The victory also assured Perpetual of a twice-to-beat advantage – same thing for the Squires who wound up second.
Letran, San Beda and La Salle-Greenhills finished tied for second to fourth places but the Squires took the second seeding owing to their superior quotient.
In the semis, Perpetual battles No. 4 La Salle while Letran takes on No. 3 San Beda.
Roluna dazzled for the Las Piñas-based squad as he posted a double-double effort of 18 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists, and two steals in just 26 minutes on the floor.
Jericho Cristino (15), Lebron Jhames Daep (12), and JD Pagulayan (11) were the other twin-digit scorers for the Junior Altas while Jhello Lumaque paced Letran with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
