Altas, Red Robins stake clean slates

Pacesetters University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Mapua University aim to stay clean in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors basketball tournament today at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.

The Junior Altas battle Arellano University at 2:30 p.m. while the Red Robins collide with reigning champion Letran College at 8 a.m. with the goal of clinching their fifth straight victory.

Also seeing action are La Salle Green Hills, which will face Emilio Aguinaldo College at 12 p.m., and San Sebastian College, which will collide with Jose Rizal University at 4:30 p.m.

Perpetual is coming off an impressive 78-56 win over San Beda University last Wednesday and a victory over dangerous Arellano will not only cement its spot on top but will also put it in a good position of earning a crack at the NCAA title.

Tipped to lead the Altas are Amiel Acido, Mark Gojo Cruz, Lebron Daep, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, Regie Ayon and Kelsey Baldoria.

Acido, in fact, dropped a season-high 33 points on top of 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals when the Junior Altas clobbered struggling Greenies, 110-91, last Sunday.

“I told the boys to stay focused, stay hungry, no expectation yet, we are still working on it and give 100 percent in each and every game,” Perpetual coach Joph Cleopas said.

Meanwhile, the Red Robins are fresh from a 72-57 win over the Light Bombers with Lawrence Mangubat, Sean Salvador, Nicolo Mulingtapang and Drie Gragasin at the attack zone.

They will go up against a Squires squad that is coming off an 88-79 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University.