By MARK REY MONTEJO
After more than four decades, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta is finally an NCAA champion.
Understandably, they shed tears of joy.
Fueled by last year’s heartbreak, the inspired Junior Altas went full throttle in the second half and demolished the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 101-67, to capture the Season 100 juniors division crown at the jam-packed FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Tuesday, April 15.
With both squads going all out in their sudden death affair, it was Perpetual which played like a true champion on the way to a runaway victory – their first-ever title in 41 years.
The title win was also the first for Perpetual’s basketball programs since joining the grand old league in 1984, a feat that completed its redemption tour after losing to eventual back-to-back winners Letran Squires also in a do-or-die game at the same venue.
La Salle, for its part, came up short for its second NCAA crown bid after winning its first on last Season 93 or in 2018.
Lebron Jhames Daep, who finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, was named Finals MVP as he averaged 13 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.6 steals in three-game series.
Last Sunday, he was crowned MVP of the tournament.
Jan Roluna topscored for the Las Pinas-squad with 15 points on top of 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Icee Callangan (14), Jim Corpuz (13), and Dan Rosales (12) provided the support offensively.
Cebuano mentor Joph Cleopas, who brought the Junior Altas in their second straight finals appearance in his second year, received the Coach of the Year plum.
The scores:
PERPETUAL HELP 101 – Roluna 15, Callangan 14, Corpuz 13, Rosales 12, Daep 10, Pagulayan 9, Tabbuan 9, Baldoria 5, Nitura 3, Dela Cruz 3, Velasquez 2, Borja 2, Llupar 2, Cristino 2, Zanoria 0
ST. BENILDE-LSGH 67 – Quines 18, Gomez 17, Ortega 9, Podador 8, Osis 4, Yutuc 3, Ison 2, Sharma 2, Torres 2, Abad 2, Hizon 0
Quarter scores: 32-18, 58-38, 81-55, 101-67
