THE Perpetual Help Junior Altas opened their campaign in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament with an 86-80 win over the Mapua-Malayan School Red Robins at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Monday.
Four veterans scored in double figures, propelling the Joph Cleopas-coached Perpetual Help to a strong start to the season.
LeBron Jhames Daep, the Junior Altas’ rising 6’7” slotman, led the attack, contributing 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and a steal.
Perpetual Help trailed, 41-44, at the end of the first half, recovering from a slow 22-27 start in the first quarter.
The Junior Altas extended their lead through the combined efforts of Daep, Jan Roluna (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and a block), Icee Callangan (11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal), and Jericho Cristino (10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block).
The Malayan School narrowed the gap in the fourth quarter, with Noah Banal’s three-pointer from the corner bringing the score to 84-80 with 1:58 remaining.
However, Callangan responded with a driving layup to seal the win for the Junior Altas.
