Junior Altas near crown

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help survived a feisty La Salle-Greenhills, 100-96, yesterday to move on the cusp of claiming a breakthrough NCAA high school basketball crown at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Lebron Jhames Daep found the right time to deliver a season-high 21 points while Jan Roluna chipped in 20 points, including mammoth free throws in the fourth quarter that helped the Junior Altas seize a 1-0 lead in their short but sweet series.

The Junior Altas could get the job done in Game 2 tomorrow, or, if necessary, in the decider Tuesday at the same venue.

And the Las Piñas-based dribblers hope they wouldn’t be denied that chance after falling to eventual winner Letran in last year’s finale.

Meanwhile, the Letran Lady Knights leaned on Gia Maquilang as the pocket-sized power-spiker delivered her best scoring performance in NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball to lift Letran to a 28-26, 25-18, 24-26, 25-17 win over San Sebastian yesterday at the SSC-R Gym.

Maquilang, who groped for form in the first round, unloaded 20 points to help the Lady Knights seize the No. 1 seed entering the second round of elimination.