Junior Altas, Squires in title clash

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PERPETUAL Help turned back first-round tormentor Mapua 96-91 yesterday to book a historic finals appearance in 99th NCAA juniors’ basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Junior Altas found an unlikely hero in seldom-used Jan Roluna, who came through with perhaps his best game so far, scoring 22 points, 12 of them in the fourth quarter, when they sealed the win and a date with destiny.

It marked the first time that Perpetual, owned by Dr. Antonio Tamayo and whose best finish was third 13 years ago, has made it to the finals since it joined the league in 1984.

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Sealing the last ticket to the finals is back-to-back seeking Letran, which turned back San Sebastian 91-77.

In the best-of-three finale starting Saturday at the same venue, the Johp Cleopas-mentored Junior Altas will have a clear shot at earning a breakthrough high school championship.

Roluna, who has only played three games and averaged four points in just a little over nine minutes in action prior to the Final Four, will be at the center of it.

He capped his fantastic effort with 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Lebron Jhames Daep lived up to his name with a kingly 22-point, six-board, three-assist and two-block effort while skipper Amiel Acido did the rest with 20 points, six caroms and five dimes.

Perpetual also avenged its 72-71 elimination round defeat last Feb. 25, the only dent to the squad’s marvelous season.

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