PERPETUAL Help went on a scoring rampage and routed College of St. Benilde 110-91 yesterday to seize the solo lead in 99th NCAA juniors’ basketball tourney at The Arena in San Juan.
Amiel Acido unleashed a 33-point game spiked with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals as the Junior Altas scored their third straight win and kept the lead.
“Idol ko po si Scottie Thompson,” said the 19-year-old 12th grader.
It was an impressive effort for UPHSD as it set a new high in terms of total score in a game.
Coach John Cleopas, though, stressed it’s too early to celebrate.
“I really appreciate the boys because they worked hard and they responded every time,” said Cleopas. “But I don’t want them to be complacent. We want them to stay hungry and we don’t want them to celebrate too much.”
Earlier, Letran vented its ire on San Sebastian College and hammered out a 78-66 victory while Jose Rizal University scored its first win at the expense of Lyceum of the Philippines U 85-79.
Still licking their wounds after a painful, embarrassing 88-72 loss to the San Beda Cubs, the Squires used their mental preparedness to engineer a defensive masterpiece that sealed them their second win in three starts.
“It’s more about viewing and mental preparation,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo, who was also recently appointed interim mentor of the Knights.
The Staglets fell from the pedestal after absorbing their first setback after winning their first two outings.