MANILA — In a thrilling culmination of their journey through the NCAA juniors basketball season, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Letran emerged victorious in the Final Four, securing their spots in the championship game slated for Saturday (16 March 2024) at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Perpetual’s ascent to their inaugural Finals appearance was fueled by the standout performance of Jan Roluna, who, despite being sparingly utilized throughout the season, delivered a remarkable double-double.
Roluna’s career-best 22 points, and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and two assists, propelled the Junior Altas to a hard-fought 96-91 triumph over Mapua, avenging their sole defeat of the season.
Meanwhile, Letran’s journey to the title clash saw Moses Manalili shine with a double-double performance, supported by George Diamante’s near-triple-double effort.
Together, they led the Squires to a convincing 91-77 victory over San Sebastian, securing their second consecutive Finals appearance.
The stage is set for a thrilling best-of-three championship series between the Junior Altas and the Squires, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (16 March 2024) at the San Juan arena.
Roluna, hailing from Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte, played a pivotal role in securing Perpetual’s berth in the Finals, showcasing clutch plays including a crucial three-point shot that widened the lead to 93-85 with just over a minute remaining.
Notable contributions from LeBron Jhames Daep and MVP contender Amiel Acido bolstered Perpetual’s charge, while high-flying guard Mark Gojo Cruz provided additional firepower.
With anticipation building, a fervent crowd of over 1,000 Perpetual supporters eagerly anticipates the chance to witness their team make history by clinching the championship, aiming to secure the one title that has eluded the Las Piñas-based institution in their sporting endeavors.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Junior Altas, surpassing their previous Final Four appearance in 2010 under the guidance of coach Tonichi Pujante, with notable players such as Gelo Alolino, Axel Iñigo, Mark Bitoy, Flash Sadiwa, and Joel Brito.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Image Courtesy of Shakey’s Super League Facebook Page
NATIONAL Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of St. Benilde overcame a slow start to secure their first victory, defeating Letran with a score of 20-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-22, on Saturday in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
The Lady Blazers had to rally from being one set down and stage a come-from-behind effort in the fourth set to fend off the resilient Lady Knights. This intense match lasted for nearly two hours, resulting in a 1-0 record for CSB in Pool C of the tournament.
Four players contributed double-digit points, led by former NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Gayle Pascual, who scored 14 points with 12 successful attacks. Her soft drop shot in the clinching moments marked the start of CSB’s journey to redemption in the 16-team SSL supported by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, and Genius Sports.
Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit, both former Finals MVPs, also chipped in with 13 points each, while Zamantha Nolasco contributed 11 points, including four blocks, for the two-time reigning NCAA champions.
Despite the victory, head coach Jerry Yee expressed dissatisfaction with the Lady Blazers’ performance in their debut match. This came a month after their early exit in the Shakey’s National Invitationals against another NCAA team, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Facing Letran, now under the guidance of new coach Oliver Almadro, CSB encountered difficulties early on, losing the opening set 20-25. However, they gradually regained their momentum and secured the next two sets, winning 25-14 in Set 2 and 25-18 in Set 3. In the fourth set, they had to rely on their championship experience, as they found themselves trailing 14-18 late in the set. Gia Marcel Maquilang’s successful hit off the block nearly pushed the match into a decisive fifth set. However, CSB managed to narrow the gap to 21-22 before Gayle Pascual’s stellar performance anchored a 4-0 finishing run, sealing their first win in SSL Season 2, which was held in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: UST Golden Tigresses and Spikers
THE University of Santo Tomas made a powerful statement in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship by sweeping Letran with scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
This victory not only kept UST unbeaten but also spoiled the debut of Letran’s new coach Oliver Almadro.
The Golden Tigresses exhibited their prowess by securing two closely contested sets before delivering a dominant performance in the third set to claim their second consecutive win in Pool A of the 16-team SSL.
Rising star Angeline Poyos once again shone with 13 points, featuring 11 successful attacks, an ace, and a block, as UST efficiently handled Letran. The match concluded in just 81 minutes, following UST’s earlier four-set victory over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Contributing to the team’s success, Xyza Gula added nine points, while setter Cassie Carballo displayed her versatility with seven points, including four aces. Regina Jurado and Kyla Cordora also made significant contributions with seven points each in UST’s well-rounded offensive strategy.
Coach Kungfu Reyes emphasized that there’s room for improvement, stating, “Hindi pa kami satisfied. Kailangan bigyan pa namin ng diin. Syempre, a win is a win pero ‘yung level ng nilalaro namin, kailangan itaas pa” (We’re not satisfied yet. We need to emphasize certain areas. Of course, a win is a win, but we need to elevate our level of play).
With one game remaining in the preliminary round, UST strengthened its quarterfinal prospects. Their last opponent in Pool B of SSL Season 2, presented in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission, is the two-time NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, which is yet to make its debut.
In their opening match, UST faced Perpetual and secured a 25-12, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21 victory, although they faced an early challenge against Letran, coached by former Ateneo mentor Almadro. During a tense moment with a 19-20 deficit, UST rallied and finished strong with a 6-1 run, highlighted by Gula’s ace, to claim the first set with a score of 25-21.
In the second set, UST maintained control with a 22-18 lead, but Letran mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 23-24 with a powerful shot from Marie Nitura from the backrow. Once again, Gula came to the rescue, using a soft touch off the block to secure a 2-0 lead.
UST’s dominance carried into the third set, where they raced to an impressive 18-8 start, ultimately winning by a convincing 11-point margin.
Marie Nitura led the scoring for the Lady Knights with 12 points, and they look to bounce back with a win against CSB next Saturday.
All SSL games are accessible live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL, with Solar Sports, Blast TV, and Aliw Channel 23 serving as TV partners. (ai/mnm)
MANILA – Kurt Reyson stepped up for Letran as he sparked and eventually capped an 11-0 run that gave the Knights an 85-84 win against the San Beda Red Lions in the Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship at the city’s Villar Coliseum on Friday night.
With the Knights down 10 with 4:48 remaining, Reyson buried back-to-back triples that began their comeback against the Red Lions.
He eventually made two pressure-packed free throws with 44.3 seconds left to give Letran the lead.
San Beda still had a chance to win but Pao Javillonar blocked RC Calimag’s first layup attempt.
Calimag still got the ball while falling and found Ronrei Tolentino open, but Tolentino blew his layup as time ran out, allowing the Knights to escape.
Reyson led Letran with 19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and one steal, while Javillonar added 14 points, eight rebounds, one block, and two steals.
Bryan Sajonia led San Beda with 25 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Tolentino added 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
The other games saw Corsa ripping College of St. Benilde (CSB) apart, 89-78; Far Eastern University (FEU) edging Sanzar, 81-75; and Ateneo dumping Uratex, 96-63.
Justine Sanchez showed what he is capable of once he joins CSB next year by leading the way for Corsa with a solid all-around game of 21 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Corsa ramped up its defense on CSB by holding it to a combined 30 points in the second and third quarters after conceding 27 in the first.
Corsa pulled away from CSB in the second after dropping 30 points for a 56-44 halftime lead.
Ahron Estacio added 17 points, three rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block, while Gerald Anderson contributed 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals for Corsa.
Will Gozum announced his return to CSB with 18 points, seven rebounds, and one steal.
Meanwhile, the Tamaraws spoiled Adeshokan Odou’s monster game for the Fire Tigers as Xyrus Torres and Cholo Anonuevo led the final charge within the last 4:55 even as Royce Alforque and Patrick Sleat made some contributions in keeping the Fire Tigers at bay in the end.
Torres finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal; Alforque added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal; Sleat had 12 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal; and Anonuevo chipped in 11 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and one steal for FEU.
Odou finished with 28 points, 24 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal, while fellow import Salomon Kone added 16 points, 20 rebounds, two assists, and one block for Sanzar.
Roger Ondoa led the locals with 10 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one block.
In the third game, Ateneo took over in the last three periods to pull away for good after Uratex kept in step with them in the opening quarter.
Kai Ballungay led Ateneo with 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, while Mason Amos added 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.
Jason Credo and Joseph Obasa each tallied 11 markers with Obasa also grabbing 11 boards for his own double-double.
Mike Harry Nzeusseu put up 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Bam-Bam Gamalinda chipped in 16 points and five rebounds for Uratex.
The scores:
First Game
CORSA 89 – Sanchez 21, Estacio 17, Anderson 13, Ynot 10, Cunanan 8, Ndong 6, Pagulayan 6, Acosta 6, Lepalam 2, Ortega 0.
CSB 78 – Gozum 18, Corteza 16, Carlos 13, Sangco 7, Mara 6, Jarque 4, Oczon 4, Jalalon 3, Flores 3, Davis 2, Cajucom 2, Marasigan 0, Marcos 0, Nayve 0, Morales 0.
Quarters: 26-27, 56-44, 70-57, 89-78
Second Game
FEU 81 – Torres 24, Alforque 13, Sleat 12, Anonuevo 11, Fatty 9, Tempra 6, Ona 4, Competente 2, Montemayor 0, Bagunu 0, Felipe 0, Devares 0.
SANZAR 75 – Odou 28, Kone 16, Ondoa 10, Torres 8, Kawamura 7, Mailim 4, Abaoag 2, Calapine 0, Lanzar 0, Famaranco 0, Obuyes 0.
Quarters: 18-19, 43-37, 59-53, 81-75
Third Game
ATENEO 96 – Ballungay 15, Amos 12, Credo 11, Obasa 11, Gomez 10, Koon 8, Garcia 8, Brown 6, Lazaro 6, Quitevis 5, Chiu 4, Bongo 0, Espinosa 0.
URATEX 63 – Nzeusseu 23, Gamalinda 16, Bragais 10, Adeogun 9, Pasco 2, Pardo 2, Salamat 1, Rosagas 0, Gil 0, Buyco 0, Gotladera 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 45-28, 70-46, 96-63
Fourth Game
LETRAN 85 – Reyson 19, Javillonar 14, Ariar 13, Galvez 8, Fajardo 6, Monje 6, Nunag 6, Tolentino 4, Santos 4, Jumao-As 4, Guarino 1, Go 0.
SAN BEDA 84 – Sajonia 25, Tolentino 17, RC Calimag 14, Alloso 11, Ri. Calimag 7, Lina 4, Lopez 3, Songcuya 2, Lecciones 1, Etulle 0, Dimaculangan 0, Peregrina 0.
Quarters: 26-29, 48-58, 65-74, 85-84 (PNA)