TOP favorite University of Perpetual Help Jonelta System Laguna survived San Pablo College, 70-61, to clinch  the top spot in the Laguna leg of the 1st Philippine University  Basketball League “Pacquiao Youth Champs Trophy” basketball tournament at Umbria 180 Events and Sports Hall in Binan City.

John Paulo Paras, Sean Dillon Laban,  John Angelo Rosale and John Bismar delivered at crunchtime  as the Saints of coach Victor Escudero survived a gallant stand by the hard-fighting Ravens to qualify to the next phase  against three other teams from Manila and Rizal.

Paras and  Laban shared scoring honors with 15 points as they joined hands with Rosale and Bismar to put an end to the Ravens’ last-ditch fight back and complete a thre-game sweep.

Rosale added 11 points and Paolo Bismar contributed  10 points for the Binan City-based team.

Escudero, who led the Saints to several titles in the NCAA South, shared the team’s success to UPHJS president Antonio Laperal Tamayo, VP for Sports Bert Tamayo, Athletic Director Steve Salazar and sports coordinator Edward Lirio.

Ramon Loreto Austria finishd with 21 points and Deanvoi Katigbak had 14 points for the Ryan Joseph Pino-mentored Ravens.

BAP Region 4 Head Leonardo Andres presented a certificate of recognition to four teams which participated in the tournament

The scores

UPH (70) --Paras 15, Laban 15, Rosale 11, Bismar 10, Papa 5, Balido 4, Lescano 3, Villar 2, Alanguilan 2, Abug 0, Namo 0.

SPC (61) --Austria 21, Katigbak 14, Bartolome 7, Susmerano 7, Hernandez 5, Marabe 4, Azucena 2, Suayan 1, Infiesto  0.

Quarterscores: 20-16, 36-31, 48-41, 70-61.               AA