UPHSD routs SSC-R, tops elimination round for twice-to-beat advantage
UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help (UPHSD) unleashed a 45-point barrage in the third quarter as it came back to smash San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), 111-80, yesterday and claim the top seed and twice-to-beat Final Four bonus in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 junior basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Down by 10 points after the first canto and five after the half, the Junior Altas went on a scoring rampage behind the prolific duo of Jan Pagulayan and Amiel Acido as they closed out the elimination round alone on top with an 8-1 record.
It also sealed the John Cleopas-mentored side the critical incentive in the semis where it could face SSC-R, which fell to No. 4 with a 6-3 mark, again.
The game also produced scoring feats for UPHSD as it set season-highs in total points scored by the winning team in a game and points in a quarter with that spectacular 45-point third quarter splurge. But what made it more special was the Junior Altas continued to close in on a dream breakthrough high school cage crown. When the smoke of battle dissipated, Mr. Pagulayan finished with a game-high 25 points while UPHSD captain Amiel Acido dropped a massive double-double effort of 23 points and 20 rebounds.
Mr. Acido’s mammoth game on both ends likewise pushed him on cusp of claiming his first MVP award after coming close a year ago when he ended up finishing in the Mythical First Team and a Defensive Player of the Year award to boot.
High-leaping and slam-dunking Lebron Jhames Daep stole some of the spotlight and came through with 16 points, nine caroms and two blocks.
In another result, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) bested Jose Rizal University (JRU), 63-47, to finish its campaign with a 4-5 mark. The Light Bombers ended up with a 3-6 card.
The scores: First Game
UPHSD 111 — Pagulayan 25, Acido 23, Daep 16, Gojo Cruz 11, Borja 11, Diaz 7, Roluna 6, Callangan 3, Valencia 3, Baldoria 2, Cristino 2, Ayon 1, Asuncion 1m, Panelo 0, Bernaldez 0
SSC-R 80 — Penaverde 20, Danag 19, Porcadas 9, Bonus 8, Melano 7, Marasigan 5, Bamba 4, Jimenez 3, Casan 2, Herrera 2, Apostol 1, Rodriguez 0, Bautista 0, Rosales 0
Quarterscores: 20-30; 43-48; 88-69; 111-80
Second Game
EAC 63 — Mariquit 13, Campana 12, Castillo 10, Coronel 10, Canonigo 7, Asay 5, Luna 4, Graham 2, Razo 0, Bautista 0, Jawali 0, Rodriguez 0, Tecson 0, Lumbo 0
JRU 47 — Piuneda 19, Enal 7, Satparam 7, Rivera 4, Ferrer 3, Natividad 3, Abequibel 2, Guarino 2, To 0, Rico 0, Pinzon 0, Teruel 0, Taparan 0, Almario 0
Quarterscores: 15-20; 35-25; 44-37; 63-47