Perpetual pulls away late vs. San Beda to go 4-0 in NCAA juniors

Published February 21, 2024 3:29pm

Updated February 21, 2024 3:29pm

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA pulled away late to snap the streaking San Beda University, 78-56, and remain unblemished in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Jan Pagulayan led the offense after unleashing 19 points built on three triples to go with six rebounds, five assists, and two steals while guard Mark Gojo Cruz poured in double-double outing of 15 markers and 12 boards spiked with four dimes, two swats, and one block as the Junior Altas improved to 4-0. 

The Red Cubs, meanwhile, slipped to 2-2 following back-to-back wins against Letran and Arellano. 

Perpetual headed to the fourth carrying a 60-50 advantage, but a massive offensive display in the payoff period allowed the wards of head coach Jose Felix Cleopas to pull away for good. 

Pagulayan detonated for two triples in a row to send Perpetual to a 67-53 cushion before Amiel Acido got the bounce on his three-pointer from the top of the key for a 74-56 lead with 2:04 left. 

Wayne Valencia and Icee Callangan then put the icing on the cake with back-to-back layups.

Acido, who was fresh off a 33-point outing against La Salle Green Hills last Sunday, made his presence felt in the defensive end with 13 rebounds and two assists to go with nine points. 

Perpetual will take on Arellano University on Friday at 2:30 p.m. while San Beda will look to bounce back against LSGH at 10 a.m.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News