Published October 8, 2025 1:11pm
Updated October 8, 2025 1:48pm
NCAA Season 101. JP Boral of the Perpetual ALTAs. (Photo: NCAA)
JP Boral hit timely baskets as the surging University of Perpetual Help System DALTA grinded out a 75-65 win over Mapua University in the NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday.
The veteran wingman scored five points as part of a massive 10-0 closing run that placed the ALTAs to a surprise 3-0 start, while inflicting the defending champions their first loss of the season for a 2-1 card.
With the win, Perpetual also gained the top seed so far in Group A.
Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela, however, said their unbeaten run means nothing yet, stressing they still have a long way to go especially with the new format in the league.
“Well, obviously it’s a big win for us mainly because we beat the defending champions, but to go 3-0, for me, means nothing. Malayo pa ‘yung season,” Racela said.
“Marami pa kaming dapat gawin and we just have to stay humble.”
Nonetheless, the win was still huge for Perpetual as they got their best start under Racela and their best start in 10 years.
The last time the ALTAs were spotless in the first three games was in Season 91, or when they had a 4-0 start behind Scottie Thompson.
Mapua kept it close with former Perpetual forward Cyrus Nitura tying things up at 65-all off a split from the line halfway through the fourth period.
But Perpetual suddenly pulled away with Shawn Orgo and Boral sinking two free throws each to make it a four-point cushion. Boral then sank a cold-blooded triple off a set-up from Patrick Sleat as Perpetual raced to a 72-65 advantage in the final 1:50.
Mapua just could not get its shot going in the endgame as Sleat wrapped it up by completing a tough layup and splitting his charities.
The graduating Boral top-scored with 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists while Sleat flaunted an all-around game of 12 markers, 10 boards, five dimes, three blocks, and one steal.
LA Casinillo and sophomore Mark Gojo Cruz also starred with 13 and 12 points each with the latter also grabbing four rebounds and a steal.
Scores:
Perpetual 75 – Boral 15, Casinilio 13, Sleat 12, Gojo Cruz 12, Orgo 9, Abis 4, Alcantara 4, Maglupay 3, Nuñez 3, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0.
Mapua 65 – Recto 16, Gonzales 15, Cuenco 8, Lazarte 7, Escamis 6, Gulapa 3, Concepcion 2, Nitura 2, Sapasap 2, Delos Reyes 2, Reyes 2, Callangan 0, Ryan 0.
Quarters: 19-21, 39-40, 57-53, 75-65.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
