Perpetual Help had to navigate a major setback during the offseason when Patrick Sleat, Olsen Racela’s trusted all-around forward since their days at Far Eastern University, decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and turn professional with San Juan.

The departure left a significant hole for the Altas, with Sleat having played a key role in steering Perpetual Help to a Final Four appearance in NCAA Season 101.

But rather than dwell on the loss, Racela and his players used the offseason to prepare for a new-look campaign, with the Altas gradually finding their footing after an opening-day defeat to Letran.

“Noong summer, we adjusted already, and the players knew that it was up to them that we lost six players, but this is their opportunity now so I think lahat sila they’re just grabbing the opportunity na binigay sa kanila,” said Racela.

Perpetual Help has since built momentum, winning two straight games after beating San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 86-74, on Monday.

The Altas have also received timely contributions from several players who have embraced bigger roles in the absence of their departed veterans.

After Mark Gojo Cruz powered Perpetual Help past Emilio Aguinaldo College last Thursday, LA Casinillo and JM Tulabut took charge against the Stags when San Sebastian threatened to pull off an upset.

“It just shows, I guess, that anyone can step up. I think si Jim Corpuz played quality minutes also today and like I always tell them, you just have to be ready single every time doesn’t matter kung sino nasa bench and do whatever you can to help the team,” Racela added.

Tulabut led all scorers with 18 points and three rebounds, while Casinillo chipped in 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals to help the Altas secure the 86-74 victory.

With Perpetual Help potentially losing another key contributor in JD Pagulayan, who is set to receive a diagnosis for his injury on Tuesday, the importance of relying on one another has only grown.

For Racela, however, the foundation for that mentality was already laid during the offseason.

“I think the work we put in was done in the summer, and they realized when I told them that we shouldn’t be talking about those who are not here, that we should be focusing on the players that are right here.”

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Colegio de San Juan de Letran steamrolled San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 99-62, to stretch its unbeaten start in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

With the victory, Letran improved to 2-0 for sole possession of first place in the Group B standings, while San Sebastian extended its losing streak to six games, including four carried over from last season. The Stags fell to 0-2 and remained at the bottom of the group.

Earlier in the day, the league canceled the first game of Friday’s doubleheader between Jose Rizal University and San Beda University after heavy rains in the San Juan area caused condensation and water buildup on the playing surface, rendering the court unsafe for competition.

Conditions later improved, allowing the second game to proceed as scheduled.

In the second quarter, Letran’s stifling defense forced San Sebastian to search for answers as the Knights went on an 8-0 run before the Stags finally ended their scoring drought with a Khit Barroga triple with 4:33 remaining in the period.

The Knights kept their foot on the gas on both ends of the floor, with Titing Manalili converting a layup off an inbound steal to stretch their lead to 22 points at halftime, 49-27.

Letran continued to punish the Stags in the third frame, with Manalili feeding Chad Gammad for a reverse layup that gave the Knights a 69-39 advantage.

San Sebastian remained buried in a deep hole as Letran carried a 75-47 lead into the final period.

The Knights’ balanced attack proved too much for the Stags in the fourth quarter, as Letran cruised to the 37-point victory.

Letran will next face Arellano University on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, will take on the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the same San Juan venue.

The post Letran routs San Sebastian by 37, stays unbeaten in NCAA appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Young Jadan Sena may not have the same height as his 6-foot-5 dad James just yet, but he is already working on having his grit.

Just 14 years old and still lanky, Jadan is in the formative years of his game. But University of the East head coach Paulo Hubalde is already working on one particular aspect of his game: his shooting.

“I always tell him na you are a shooter, tira ka dapat nang tira,” said Hubalde.

“If you’re not shooting, then you are not doing your job. We are working on that every day.”

But if Jadan were to be asked, he would rather be known as a defender.

“Just work hard at huwag po magpetiks every game. Work on my defense din po,” he shared about what James always tells him.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Against University of Santo Tomas last Friday, Jadan showed both sides of his game.

He fired 13 points on three triples to go with seven assists and two steals, leading the Junior Warriors to a 94-81 win over the Junior Tiger Cubs.

He also made sure to put on a show with his classmates and family watching from the Lucio K. Tan Jr. Gym.

“Masaya po kasi naipakita ko sa kanila yung laro ko. Nandito po yung mga classmates at pamilya ko. Kailangan kong maipakita sa kanila yung laro ko,” he said.

In fact, even his friends who watched him play for the first time were impressed.

“Ang galing ko raw po,” he gushed.

Now, Jadan is looking forward to continuing to build a name for himself.

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