LEGACY or history will be made when defending champion Letran and top-seeded Perpetual Help clash for all the marbles in Game 3 Saturday of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Junior Basketball Finals at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The Junior Altas of coach Joph Cleopas forced a deciding third game against the Squires of coach Allen Ricardo in Game 2 after a pulsating 91-90 win, with JD Pagulayan leading the Perpetual assault following a key double-double performance of 23 points and 10 boards.
Amiel Acido played like the MVP that he was in the elimination round after coming through big when it mattered most, hitting the clutch baskets and making the right plays late to will the Jr. Altas to the series-equalizing and Game 3-forging triumph.
The Squires took Game 1, 97-80.
Letran is seeking back-to-back titles and a 14th title overall in order to firm up its legacy, while Perpetual is seeking a date with history if it wins its first basketball crown, a feat it has not achieved since joining the league in 1984.
The goal of the Dr. Antonio Tamayo-owned squad is to end the school’s 40-year title drought as the Junior Altas are the only Perpetual Help basketball team that does not have an NCAA title.
“It’s just one win. I thank God, I asked God for this, I promised him and acknowledged Him, to share His word. God is the best, we have not done anything yet, but I thank the boys, they fight. God is good,” said Cleopas.
“I invite you all, my dear Perpetualites to support our team to come and watch our game to give pride, we need you, win or lose, we want to be here to support Perpetual Altas,” he added.
For the Squires, they need to leave behind the painful memory of Game2 when their 19-point second-quarter lead evaporated and blew again another chance in the dying seconds after missing three crucial, pressure-packed foul shots.
But one thing Letran must muster to recover lost ground is bring the fire back in Moses Manalili, who was held to just 12 points in Game 2 after a 35-point eruption in the opener.
“Ini-scout namin siya,” said Cleopas, referring to Manalili who was his former player back when he was coaching a high school squad back home in Cebu City.