JD PAGULAYAN turned in a double-double performance to lead University of Perpetual System Dalta in tying the Finals series at 1-1 against defending champion Letran, 91-90, in Game 2 of the NCAA juniors basketball Finals yesterday at the jampacked Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The boys of coach Joph Cleopas rallied from 18 points down in the first half to recover from last Saturday’s series-opening 80-97 loss.

The do-or-die Game 3 is set at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the same San Juan venue.

Pagulayan, a Grade 11 student, came through with 23 points and 10 rebounds while newly-minted season MVP Amiel Acido added 19 points, five boards, four steals and two assists for the Junior Altas.

“It wasn’t a walk in the park, it’s just a blessing today na nakuha namin itong win na ito,” said Cleopas.

“Masaya po ako ngayon kasi nakuha namin game two at sana ganoon rin sa game three at sana makuha rin namin,” said Pagulayan.

Rookie of the Year winner Mark Gojo Cruz tallied 16 points, seven boards and four assists for Perpetual.

The Squires tried to steal the win and the championship but June Silorio missed two free throws in the final 5.8 seconds.

Silorio paced Letran with 20 points and six rebounds while George Diamante logged a double-double outing of 18 points and 15 boards that went along with four assists.

Joining Acido and Gojo Cruz in the Mythical 5 are their teammate Daep, Diamante and EJ Castillo of Emilio Aguinaldo College.

The scores:

Perpetual (91) – Pagulayan 23, Acido 19, Gojo Cruz 16, Daep 13, Diaz 5, Borja 5, Valencia 3, Callangan 3, Baldoria 2, Roluna 2, Ayon 0, Asuncion 0.
Letran (90) – Silorio 20, Diamante 18, Padilla 17, Manalili 12, Baliling 11, Gazzingan 5, Navarro 3, Cruz 2, Golez 2, Villanueva 0, Reyes 0, Hugo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-34, 50-59, 73-75, 91-90.

Game Saturday

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
9:30 a.m. – Perpetual vs Letran