The Perpetual Junior Altas rolled to their fifth straight win with a 100-79 drubbing of the Arellano Braves to assume the solo lead in the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The Junior Altas of coach Joph Cleopas banked on a well-balanced attack to remain as the only undefeated team after defending champion Letran downed erstwhile undefeated Mapua, 86-69.
Six players scored in double figures for the Junior Altas with Amiel Amido posting 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal and Lebron Daep logging a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Also delivering were JD Pagulayan (19 pts, 7 rebs), Mark Gojo Cruz (15 pts.), Aries Borja (13 pts.) and Icee Callangan (12 pts.)
George Diamante shone brightest for the squires with 28 points, 21 of which came in the second half when the Squires erased one-point halftime deficit and zoomed their fourth victory in five outings.
It was also Diamante who sparked the team’s dizzying attack in the third quarter, scoring 10 to outscore the Red Robins, 28-13.
He completed his strong performance with 13 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
It came just a couple of days after he produced a 21-point, 16-carom, eight-dime, four-steal and one-block masterpiece in an 88-79 triumph over Lyceum of the Philippines U.
Mapua absorbed its first defeat after winning its first four games.
In the second game, San Beda shut down College of St. Benilde in the final minute and a half to snatch a gripping 64-62 victory.
