Jan Roluna was simply unstoppable on both ends, lifting University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a statement 85-70 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball on Monday.
The high-flying guard posted 18 points and 10 rebounds alongside four assists and two steals as the Junior ALTAs formally clinched the top seed ahead of the Final Four with an 8-1 card.
The Squires, meanwhile, finished the elimination round with a 6-3 record to forge a three-way tie with La Salle Green Hills and San Beda University, but will secure the second spot due to superior quotient.
Incidentally, Perpetual will begin its Final Four run against the Red Cubs, the same team who gave them their only loss so far in the season.
But with the way things are going, the Junior ALTAs are looking good.
In fact, they turned what was expected to be a close fight against the Squires to a one-sided affair after opening the game with a wild 22-6 start.
The wards of head coach Joph Cleopas then built a lead as big as 20 thanks to a huge third quarter rampage that saw them cruising to a 60-40 cushion. The defending champion Squires, though, tried to fight back behind big man Jhello Lumague, who fueled an 11-5 run to cut the deficit to 14, 65-51.
But Perpetual was just too much for the three-peat seeking Letran as the former displayed depth to finish it off behind bench players Jericho Cristino, Icee Callangan, and TJ Tabbuan.
In another game, host Lyceum of the Philippines University saved its best for last after eking out a lopsided 92-72 win over Arellano University for its breakthrough victory.
Clint Conde led the charge with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks while Jericho Abrantes chipped in 13 markers, two boards, and one dime as they ended their campaign with a 1-8 card.
The Braves fell to 3-6.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
