By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Perpetual Help and Letran battle one last time for glory and history in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Saturday, March 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Junior Altas are gunning for their first-ever championship since joining the grand old league four decades ago but standing in their way are the Squires who are aiming for a back-to-back title in their 9:30 a.m showpiece.
Even though the momentum is on the side Perpetual, head coach Joph Cleopas is bracing for another tough fight against Letran which is aiming for its 14th overall in the juniors division.
“I expect it will not be easy, they’re a champion team. They’re coaching staff are also all winners,” Cleopas stressed.
“We just give our best, and isa lang masasabi ko God willing if hindi glory to Him parin,” he added.
Las Pinas-based squad kept its title hopes after explosive games coming from MVP Amiel Acido and Jan Pagulayan. The two led their second half surge, combining for eight triples that made a huge difference in their game.
As expected, Acido, Pagulayan, Mark Gojo Cruz and Lebron Jhames Daep will spearhead the Junior Altas on both ends.
On the other hand, Letran head mentor Allen Ricardo is anticipating a huge bounce back from his wards.
“Dahil nawala yung aggressiveness namin, kailangan maging aggressive kami. Yung energy namin, hindi namin na-sustain, so on Game 3, dapat taasan namin yung energy namin,” Ricardo said.
The Intramuros unit as usual will lean on Marbel, Koronadal City’s emerging star Syrex Silorio, George Diamante, Daniel Padilla and talisman Titing Manalili.
