Las Pinas City—The Perpetual Junior Altas and EAC-ICA shoot for a second consecutive win when they clash at 10 a.m. in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Junior’s Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Friday.
Coach Joph Cleopas’ Junior Altas won against LPU GenTri with a score of 89-75, while coach Noy Catalan’s EAC-ICA Brigadiers edged La Salle Greenhills, 78-75, on opening day of the tournament on February 10.
Cleopas will rely on the solid offense and tight defense of the Junior Altas in the hands of Lebron Jhames Daep, Amiel Acido, Mark Gojo Cruz, JD Pagulayan, Kelsey Baldorai and point guard Regie Ayon.
Daep listed an impressive 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and a block in 28:21 minutes of play in their first match in the league, while versatile power Acido contributed 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal. Cruz had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Cleopas was also impressed by the backcourt lineup of Jamal Diaz, Arzel Asuncion, Lance Nitura, Aries Borja, Jericho Cristino, RJ Bernaldez and Icee Callangan, who contributed greatly to the team.
The SSCR Staglets will meet in the 1st game against LPU GenTri at 8 a.m., while the defending champion Letran Squires battle the San Beda Red Cubs at 12 noon.
The Mapua Red Robins take on La Salle Greenhills at 2:30 p.m. while hosts, the JRU Light Bombers play the Arellano Braves in the main game at 4:30 p.m.