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Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">MANILA — The Perpetual Junior Altas’ hopes of earning their first-ever NCAA Juniors’ Basketball title are still alive. </span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Las Piñas-based squad overcame an 18-point lead from the Letran Squires on Wednesday in Game 3 of the Season 99’s Finals, with the Junior Altas powering a huge run in the second half to force a decider.</span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Leading Perpetual was Jan Pagulayan’s 23 points and 10 rebounds, newly-minted MVP Amiel Acido’s 19 markers, five boards, four steals, and two assists, and Mark Gojo Cruz’s 16 points, four of which came from beyond the arc. </span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/20/ncaa-perpetual-survives-letran-as-junior-altas-force-game-3-1747">READ: Perpetual survives Letran as Junior Altas force Game 3</a></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This left former NCAA MVP and UPHSD star Scottie Thompson in awe, especially since they displayed composure in the dying minutes of the game.</span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1710931002616IMG_1015.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Perpetual star Scottie Thompson. <strong><em>Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.</em></strong></span></span></span></div><p>“Unang-una, sobrang proud ako sa kanila,” the Ginebra superstar said after the game. “Talagang give credit to all the coaching staff especially kay coach Jeoph [Cleopas] sa adjustments nila.”</p><p>“Each and everyone, talagang all-out sila. Pero kung kanino ako pinaka impressed, si Acido and si Gojo Cruz. Sila yung dalawang talagang na-impress ako,” he added.</p><p>Acido rediscovered his form in the second half, with the 6-foot-3 winger pouring in 14 of his total points in that span, and he also converted the go-ahead triple in the last minute of the game, 91-90. That is why Scottie hailed his fellow Perpetual star.</p><p>“Down sila, but they never gave up. Para sa akin, they showed yung ‘Never Say Die’ spirit, so sobrang nakaka proud,” said Thompson</p><p>Moving into Game 3, the Digos City native shared that while they are here to support his alma mater, what they want for the Junior Altas for now is to take care of their business first. </p><p>“Andito kami to help the school, especially as an alumni ng Perpetual. Of course, bini-build namin yung high school coming into college. We took coach Olsen [Racela] and coach Jeop, at talagang nagkakaisa sila,” expressed the one-time PBA MVP. </p><p>“That’s the plan. Talagang kailangan namin sila coming into next season. Pero for now, hindi muna namin sila iistorbohin yung mga bata. Gusto namin mag focus muna sila sa goal nila sa Perpetual,” he added. </p><p>But looking at the bigger picture, their support for Perpetual is them wanting to turn Altas’ high school and collegiate basketball into a winning program in the NCAA. </p><p>“Kami talaga ngayon, all-out support para sa Juniors namin to create a winning culture dito,” bared Thompson. </p><p>“Ang tagal na naming nawala, yung college, nawala sa Final Four, so yung high school sila naman yung nag start para masimulan yung winning culture. Sana mag tuloy-tuloy na yung program.”</p><p>The Junior Altas can continue jump-starting this turnaround on Saturday, March 23, as they now have the chance to create history and bring the NCAA juniors’ hoops title to Las Piñas.</p><p>Tip-off is at 9:30 am. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The Perpetual Junior Altas’ hopes of earning their first-ever NCAA Juniors’ Basketball title are still alive.</p>

The Perpetual Junior Altas’ hopes of earning their first-ever NCAA Juniors’ Basketball title are still alive.

NCAA: Perpetual showed ‘never say die’ spirit in Game 2, says Scottie Thompson

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NCAA: Perpetual showed ‘never say die’ spirit in Game 2, says Scottie Thompson

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2024 08:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

NCAA

NCAA Season 99

NCAA Basketball

ABSSports

Letran Squires

Perpetual Junior Altas

Scottie Thompson

NCAA Finals

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