The Perpetual Junior Altas showed the stuff they are made of when they beat the defending champion Letran Squires, 94-88, to grab the lead and officially entered the semifinals in the NCAA Season 99 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Friday.
The Altalettes of Coach Joph Cleopas showed the ferocity of their defense to limit the attack of the Intramuros troops.
The Junior Altas needed a massive second quarter onslaught that built them enough cushion to weather a furious fight back by the Squires in the final half and snatch the top spot with a 7-1 record.
This is the second time the Las Piñas City-based school will enter the Semifinals, the first was in 2010 under Coach Tonichi Pujante with players like Gelo Alolino, Joseph Ariobu and Chester Saldua, who are all in the PBA now.
MVP frontrunner Amiel Acido led the Junior Altas with a nearly double-double performance of 27 pts and 8 rebs and 2 assists in his 28:53 minutes of play, alongside with Mark Gojo Cruz, who had 17 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.
The duo had ample support from JD Pagulayan,who registered four treys in 1st half en route to 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal, and Lebron Daep, who contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Already, UPHSD, Letran and Mapua (6-1), which was battling SSC-R (5-2) at press time, booked a ticket each to the Final Four 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 Squires fell to 6-2.
