DEFENDING champion Letran goes for the jugular, while Perpetual hopes to recover from their loss to the Squires when they clash in Game 2 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Junior Basketball Finals on Wednesday, March 20 at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
Gametime is 2:30 p.m., after the 1 p.m. awarding ceremonies of the Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Team, Mythical 5 and Most Valuable Player for Season 99.
The Letran Squires will be trying to wrap up the title so they don’t have to play in a rubber match on Saturday, March 23.
Perpetual coach Joph Cleopas offered no excuses after their Game 1 loss to Letrán. But instead of getting demoralized, he said they have identified their mistake upon video viewing of the game, learn from it, and apply it in Game 2 as they hope to force a do-or-die Game 3.
“Refined the game plan and give our 100 percent inside the court. Nothing much was changed, (we just) reviewed the mistakes in Game 1. We didn’t do a lot in that game,” said Cleopas.
He is expected to lean on MVP frontrunner Amiel Acido, defensive player LeBron Daep and Mark Gojo Cruz, along with JD Pagulayan, Jamal Diaz, Jan Roluna and backup center Aries Borja.
The Intramuros-based Letran defeated Perpetual in Game 1, 97-80, with Moses Manalili recording a career-high 35 points, to go with 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.
He got ample backup from George Diamante Jr.’s double double performance of 14 points and 16 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
The Squires are looking to record back-to-back crowns and a 14th NCAA Junior Title overall. They are still behind the San Beda Red Cubs, though, with 23 titles and the Mapua Red Robins with 22.