After suffering its first setback, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta aims to recover when it battles Jose Rizal University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 juniors basketball tournament today at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Action is set at 2:30 p.m. with the wounded Junior Altas seeking revenge in order to tighten their grip on the top spot entering the Final Four of the country’s oldest collegiate league.
They must beat Jose Rizal University, Letran College and San Sebastian College to punch a ticket to the next round.
The last time the Junior Altas made it to the Final Four was in Season 86 with Gelo Alolino at the helm.
The Junior Altas suffered a late-game meltdown that led to a 71-72 setback, sending them to a three-way tie at the top spot together with Mapua and Letran with 5-1 win-loss record.
Perpetual coach John Cleopas will again rely on Most Valuable Player frontrunner Amiel Acido, Mark Gojo Cruz and Regie Ayon who are all graduating Grade 12 students at the Las Piñas campus.
Also relying on the 6’6 twin towers Grade-11 Lebron Daep and Aries Borja, Kelsey Baldoria, Icee Callangan, JD Pagulayan and backcourts Wayne Valencia, Arzell Asuncion, Jamal Cruz, Jericho Cristino, John Panelo, RJ Bernaldez, Jacob dela Cruz and Lance Nitura are also expected to carry the load for the Junior Altas.
Meanwhile, La Salle Green Hills will face San Sebastian College 8 am., defending champion Letran clashes with Arellano University at 10 a.m., Emilio Aguinaldo College battles San Beda University at 12 p.m., Lyceum of the Philippines University tangles with Mapua at 4:30 p.m.
