PERPETUAL Help inched closer to its historic first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) crown after defeating La Salle Greenhills in Game 1, 100-96, of their best-of-three title showdown on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
MVP frontrunners LeBron Jhames Daep and Jan Roluna showed maturity and thirst to dominate the board and offense as the Junior Altas stunned the Greenies.
Coach Joph Cleopas’ squad only needs to win Game 2 on Sunday to make history with its first cage crown, ending a 41-year drought.
The match was not easy for the Las Piñas City-based squad, as La Salle threatened to within 95-97 with 15.7 seconds left in the game.
But Roluna sank his pressure-packed free throws to preserve the lead until the endgame buzzer sounded.
Daep (21 points) and Roluna (20) scored a combined 41 points to lead the charge for Perpetual Help.
Three more Junior Altas scored in double digits, namely Jericho Cristino with 14 points and 7 boards, JD Pagulayan with 13 points, 4 boards, 6 assists and 4 steals, and Louie Rosales with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Court general Icee Callangan scored 5 points and had 12 boards, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Guillian Quines led La Salle Greenhills with a game-high 29 points, to go with 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and a block.
Game 2 is scheduled on Palm Sunday (April 13) at 2:30 p.m. after the battle for the bronze between the Letran Squires and the San Beda Red Cubs at 12 noon.