Newly-crowned MVP Amiel Acido credits teammates in Game 2 resurgence

The newly-crowned MVP rediscovered his touch in time to help University of Perpetual Help System DALTA weave a tight 91-90 victory against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball finals on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old forward exploded for 14 points in the second half to finish with 19 markers, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists and steer the Junior Altas to the equalizer. It was a bounce-back of sorts for Acido as he was limited to 10 markers, four boards, four dimes, and two swats in Game 1.

Acido, however, refused to own all the credits, stressing he owed his resurgence to his teammates and the coaching staff. 

(During that time, I was thanking my teammates that they cheered me up and they gave me life so I had a good game.)

Down nine at the half, Perpetual regained some momentum with Acido firing two straight triples as the Junior Altas slowly trim their deficit before the rest of the crew led by JD Pagulayan, Mark Gojo Cruz, and Lebron Jhames Daep get the job done.

It was also Acido’s three-pointer in the final 56 seconds that gave Perpetual a 91-90 crucial lead.

“Nu’ng time na ‘yon ay parang nabuhayan na ako and parang nagising na ako,” Acido said of his first triple early in the third period.

“Kailangan talaga ako mag-step up so thankful ako kay God na binigyan niya ako ng lakas na makapaglaro nang gano’n.”