Perpetual Help wins its first-ever NCAA juniors title.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of Perpetual Help clinched its first-ever NCAA juniors’ basketball championship on Tuesday.
The Junior Altas made history after steamrolling Benilde-La Salle Green Hills, 101-67, in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 100 Finals at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Following a stunning Game 2 loss at the hands of the Greenies, 95-91, the Junior Altas, steered by coach Joph Cleopas, put on a masterclass in the rubber match led by Jan Roluna and LeBron Jhames Daep, who both notched double-doubles.
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“It’s a blessing that we got this because the boys fought hard. I’d like to give credit to the coaching staff, I can’t get this without them,” said Cleopas, whose squad made the Finals last year but lost to Letran in three games.
“The players played so well. This is the best game I’ve ever seen from them. They made an exclamation point and a statement win.”
Roluna led Perpetual Help with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Daep added 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Daep, who was named Most Valuable Player of the season before Sunday’s Game 2, also took home the Finals MVP plum after averaging 13 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals.
READ: NCAA: Olsen Racela hoping to keep standouts of streaking Junior Altas
“I want to thank the whole Perpetualite community because they supported and helped not just me but the whole team,” said Daep.
“Thank you for your support and giving us energy because it boosted our game today and it gave us this win,” he added.
It was a balanced effort by the Junior Altas, who also drew double-digit scoring from Icee Callangan, Jim Corpuz and Dan Rosales. Callangan and Corpus finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Rosales recorded 12 points.
Guillian Quines scored a game-high 18 points while Gian Gomez had 17 points for the Greenies, who were outscored, 32-18, in the opening quarter and trailed 58-38 at the half.
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Perpetual Help booted out No. 4 San Beda-Rizal, 96-89, in the Final Four to reach the title round while third seed Benilde-LSGH knocked off defending champion and No. 2 seed Letran in their semifinals matchup.
