DEFENDING champion Letran and Perpetual Help aim for second straight victories on Wednesday against separate foes in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament at the FiloIL EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The Squires of coach Willie Miller target a second consecutive win when they battle Mapua at 10 a.m., before the Junior Altas of coach Joph Cleopas face fellow opening-day winner College of St. Benilde – La Salle Greenhills at 12 noon.
Arellano University and San Beda University also shoot for a second straight wins when they face the Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian College, respectively, at 2 and 4 p.m.
Opening-day losers Jose Rizal University and Lyceum of the Philippines try to enter the win column when they clash at 8 a.m.
Cleopas will once again rely on 6’7” center LeBron Jhames Daep, who had 20 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, 3 blocks and a steal in 28 minutes and 31 seconds when the Junior Altas whipped the Mapua Red Robbins, 86-80, on opening day
Daep had ample help from Jane Roluna, who had two power slams in the 3rd quarter, en route to 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and a block.
Also ready to help the team from Las Piñas City are Icee Callangan, who contributed 11 points, 4 boards and 6 assists, and Jericho Cristono, who had with 10 points, 2 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
Other members of the team are Kurt Velasquez, Kelsey Baldoria, Louie Rosales, JD Pagulayan, Aries Borja, Jim Corpuz, TJ Tabbuan, Lance Nitura, Hanz Llupar, Kurt Patalinghug, Jacob dela Cruz and Renzo Zanoria.
Coach Ren Ren Ritualo’s La Salle Greenhills will rely on Guillian Quines, who scored 22 markers (9 of 9 from the free throw line), hauled four boards and had four steals when the Greenies edged the Staglets, 82-79, on Monday.