Junior Altas claim top spot, ‘win-once’ bonus

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help unleashed a 45-point barrage in the third quarter as it came back to smash San Sebastian College, 111-80, yesterday and claim the top seed and twice-to-beat Final Four bonus in NCAA Season 99 junior basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Down by 10 after the first canto and five at the half, the Junior Altas went on a scoring rampage behind the prolific duo of Jan Pagulayan and Amiel Acido and closed out the elimination round alone on top with an 8-1 record.

It sealed for the Johp Cleopas-mentored side the coveted incentive in the semis where it could face SSC-R, which fell to No. 4 with a 6-3 mark, again.

The game produced scoring feats for UPHSD as it set season-highs in total points scored by the winning team and points in a quarter with that spectacular 45-point third-quarter splurge.

Making it more special was the Junior Altas closing in on a dream breakthrough high school cage crown.