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)