The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas are set for a crucial showdown against the Letran Knights in Game 2 of the Best-of-Three semifinals of the #NCAASeason101 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
For coach Olsen Racela’s Altas, the mission is clear — win Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3.
Should they succeed, the do-or-die match will be played on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Perpetual Help is coming off a hard-fought, physical 77-73 loss in Game 1.
The Las Piñas-based squad started strong, leading, 14-10, in the first quarter, but struggled to recover after the Knights unleashed a dominant 43-24 scoring run in the second quarter, establishing an advantage that proved too difficult to overcome.
Letran’s Titing Manalili was hailed as the Best Player of the Game, delivering an impressive line of 15 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals across 34 minutes of action.
Leading the charge for the Altas were Patrick Sleat with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block; John Abis with a near double-double of 20 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, and 3 steals; and Mark Derick Gojo Cruz with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Ahead of the crucial Game 2, coach Racela emphasized the need for a stronger collective effort, telling the press that he is seeking much-needed help from his bench, especially his second unit, to secure the victory.
The Altas will not be short on motivation, as over 1,900 Perpetual students, faculty, and officials are expected to be in attendance to boost the morale of their beloved school.
Perpetual Help is aiming to return to the NCAA Finals for the first time since Season 80 (2004), when they faced the eventual champion Philippine Christian University Dolphins.
