Amiel Acido dropped a season-high showing to steer University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a decisive 110-91 victory against struggling La Salle Green Hills in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The forward erupted for 33 points, the highest so far in the contest, to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals as the Junior Altas improved to 3-0 win-loss card.
The Greenies, meanwhile, dropped to a 0-3 start.
The Junior Altas had the luxury of a 13-point lead at the halftime break, where the 6-foot-3 Acido waxed hot right from the get-go with 22 points as Perpetual built a 62-49 cushion.
Perpetual, which was coming off big wins against Lyceum and EAC, refused to ease on the gas pedal with Mark Gojo Cruz igniting for a triple to stretch their lead to 26, 105-79, late in the fourth quarter.
The Greenies still tried to breathe life back to their game, but the Junior Altas were just too much for the Season 98 first-runner up.
Wayne Valencia provided ample help for Acido, tallying 20 points on 4-of-8 from deep alongside four rebounds, four assists, and four steals while Gojo Cruz finished with 12 markers, five boards, and six dimes.
Despite the immaculate start to the season, head coach Jose Felix Cleopas reminded his players not to get complacent as they still have a long way to go.
"I really appreciate the boys because they work hard and they respond kung ano man 'yung instructions but for me, I don't want them to be complacent and I want them to look forward to the next game," Cleopas said in the post-game interview.
"We want them to stay hungry. We don't want them to celebrate too much because wala pa naman talaga eh. We need to work hard more pa."
(I really appreciate the boys because they work hard and they respond whatever the instructions are, but for me, I don't want them to be complacent and I want them to look forward to the next game. We want them to stay hungry. We don't want them to celebrate too much because there's nothing yet. We need to work hard more.)
Perpetual will return to action on Wednesday and will be pitted against San Beda University at 12 p.m. in bid to protect its unbeaten slate while LSGH will take on Arellano University at 10 a.m.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
