Published October 5, 2025 2:14pm
Updated October 5, 2025 2:44pm
NCAA Season 101. October 5, 2025. Mark Gojo Cruz of the Perpetual ALTAs. (Photo: NCAA)
Mark Gojo Cruz put on another stellar display for the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, which fended off Lyceum of the Philippines University, 73-61, in the NCAA Season 101 on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
The second-year guard continued to prove there is hardly a sophomore slump, dropping 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals to tow the ALTAs to a 2-0 start in Group A.
The Pirates sank to a 0-2 start.
“We were able to control the game in 36 minutes, mga gano’n, pero alam namin na babalik ‘yung Lyceum so we just have to do a better job of finishing games,” Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela said.
“Hindi pwedeng maging complacent. Again, this is a young team. We have a lot to learn. Maganda ‘yung nadaanan namin ‘yung ganyan para we know what to do next time.”
Perpetual was in full control almost all game long before the Pirates turned to Jonathan Daileg to spark the comeback with a fourth quarter surge.
The athletic sophomore winger drained three straight triples that cut what was once a 49-66 deficit to a slim 61-67 disadvantage in the final 56 seconds.
But that was the closest the Pirates could get as Shawn Orgo sank his first free throw before seasoned forward John Abis cleaned up the next one with a putback layup to bring the ALTAs to a 70-61 cushion.
Patrick Sleat, who had a solid NCAA debut last Friday against San Sebastian, drove to the basket and knocked down a floater that saw Perpetual clinch another double-digit lead.
Gojo Cruz sealed the victory, connecting a freebie from a technical foul called on LPU head coach Gilbert Malabanan as Perpetual matched its 2-0 start last season.
Scores:
Perpetual 73 – Gojo Cruz 18, Nuñez 13, Orgo 9, Sleat 9, Boral 8, Abis 6, Maglupay 4, Tulabut 4, Gelsano 2, Alcanatara 0, Casinilio 0, Duremdes 0, Roluna 0.
LPU 61 – Villegas 18, Montaño 11, Daileg 9, Peñafiel 8, Versoza 6, Aurige 4, Gordon 3, Moralejo 2, Barba 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Matienzo 0, Casiño 0, Paulo 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 46-34, 59-43, 73-61.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
