By MARK REY MONTEJO
It’s all about heart – big fighting one.
That’s how University of Perpetual Help coach Joph Cleopas summed up their remarkable comeback win over Letran in the Game Two of the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday, March 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
With their historic first title on the line, Perpetual found itself in a huge 18-point hole in the first half but found and mustered enough fight and courage to overcome it and come away with a pulsating 91-90 win.
“Yong mga tira ng mga bata parang sa panaginip lang, tapos biglang dikit na. Sobrang grabe mga bata ngayon,” the 37-year-old mentor stressed.
“Puso nalang ‘tong [panalo] kanina,” he added.
Not only that the Junior Altas forced the sudden-death Game 3 but also found the momentum now on their side behind the inspired performance from their very first season MVP Amiel Acido.
Now, the focus for Perpetual is to bring another first to their school as they gun for their first-ever juniors title since joining the grand old league forty years ago.
Pagulayan and Acido combined for eight triples and finished with 23 and 19 points, respectively, which helped the Junior Altas turn things around for the Junior Altas after trailing most of the way in the contest.
Not being complacent is the Cebuano tactician who expects Letran to have the same championship drive heading into the winner-take-all on Saturday, March 23.
“I expect it will not be easy, they’re a champion team. They’re coaching staff are also all winners,” Cleopas continued.
“We just give our best, and isa lang masasabi ko God willing if hindi Glory to Him pa rin,” he added.
