Birthday boy Jielo Razon steers Perpetual past Letran to clinch top seed in FilOil group

Jielo Razon found the perfect time to explode for a big game as he steered his University of Perpetual Help System DALTA team to an 81-68 victory against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on his birthday in FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup action on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Razon, who turned 24 today, dropped 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal as the ALTAs clinched the top seed in Group A with an impressive 7-2 win-loss card.

Letran, meanwhile, ended the elimination round with a 6-3 card ahead of the playoffs.

Perpetual held the advantage for most of the first three quarters before Letran skipper Kurt Reyson drained a jumper that erased what was once a double-digit deficit for the Knights early in the fourth.

But Perpetual regained its groove as Razon served up back-to-back baskets that gave the ALTAs a 73-62 cushion before another triple from him made it a 78-66 lead with 2:50 left.

Sophomore Jun Roque was also in his usual form with 19 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and one block while Christian Pagaran chipped in 15 markers.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News