Amiel Acido keys Perpetual comeback vs. San Sebastian to lock up top seed

Published March 3, 2024 11:03am

Updated March 3, 2024 11:04am

Amiel Acido led University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 111-80 comeback win against San Sebastian College-Recoletos to secure the top seed in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Sunday.

Acido dropped 15 points in the third quarter en route to a huge double-double outing of 23 points and 20 rebounds together with five assists as the Junior Altas erased a double-digit deficit to end the elimination round with an 8-1 card and clinch the twice-to-beat bonus. 

San Sebastian, on the other hand, slipped to 6-3 but is already assured of a Final Four seat. 

Perpetual had to overcome a shaky first half, where the Staglets once led by as many as 16 points after a triple from Ruvic Danag that sent San Sebastian to a 25-9 lead in the first period. 

The Junior Altas, however, slowly pulled themselves together to end the first half down by just five, 48-43. 

They then unleashed a huge third quarter turnaround behind Acido, alongside Lebron Jhames Daep and Jan Pagulayan, as they put up 45 points while limiting the Staglets to just 21. It also took San Sebastian more than four minutes to score their first field goal in the third as Jhun Penaverde nailed a layup. 

But that wasn’t enough to rally San Sebastian back as Perpetual never looked back and even led by as much as 32 before eking out a 111-80 triumph. 

Pagulayan top-scored Perpetual with 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Daep flirted with a double-double as he churned out 16 markers and nine boards.

Penaverde led the Staglets with 20 points while Danag, who was held scoreless in the second half, listed 19 markers, three rebounds, and four assists. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News