UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help threw its hat into the Final Four ring after it turned back Jose Rizal University, 82-66, Tuesday in NCAA Season 100 Basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
High-flying John Boral came off the bench in leading the way for the Las Pinas-based dribblers with 17 points he spiked with 10 rebounds and a block while rookie Mark Gojo Cruz made quite an impression by scattering 15 points.
It also gave UPHSD coach Olsen Racela a welcome victory.
The result was a shock for some as the Altas Jun Roque, Marcus Nitura and Mark Omega, who were key cogs when they came a victory closer from barging into the Final Four a season ago.
It turned out a blessing in disguise though as it opened things up for Boral and Gojo Cruz, who was part of UPHSD’s high school team that gatecrashed into the NCAA juniors finals that eventually succumbed to Letran.
Christian Pagaran, a remnant from last year’s squad who is now co-captain, chipped in 11 to help in the cause.
JRU skipper Joshua Guiab was the source of strength for the Bombers with 15 points but it wasn’t enough though to stop UPHSD on its track.
Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee announced it has banned indefinitely one of the persons who mauled one of its referees right after the College of St. Benilde-Mapua game at the MOA Arena Saturday.
The league though did not identify the alleged mauler and the referee who was mauled.
“The NCAA does not condone violence,” said the league in a statement released by Mancom chair Herc Callanta of host Lyceum of the Philippines U.
“As the oldest premier collegiate league that prides itself in fostering sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie, violence of any kind has no place in our league,” it added.
Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
12 p.m.- SSC-R vs LPU
2:30 p.m.- EAC vs Mapua
