University of Perpetual Help gifted veteran coach Olsen Racela a fitting welcome as the Altas trounced the Jose Rizal University Bombers, 82-66, to jumpstart their NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Altas picked up their pace in the second half when they untangled themselves from a 41-all halftime deadlock and led by as many as 20 points, 80-60, in the last 1:43 of the game en route to their first win in the season.

John Boral unleashed a double-double effort of 17 points and 10 rebounds for Perpetual, whose stifling defense allowed JRU to only score 25 points in the last two quarters.

Mark Gojo Cruz also showed the way for the Altas with 15 points, five boards and two steals.

JRU last tasted the lead late in the second period after Shawn Argente drained a triple for a 4-139 edge with 23 ticks to go.

But Cedrick Abis answered back with a buzzer-beating jumper to tie the count at the break, enough to ignite the tempo at the start of the third.

A 7-0 blast in the first four minutes of the third period courtesy of Cruz and Shawn Orgo put Perpetual on top, 48-41, and held on it throughout despite the persistent attempts of JRU.

Christian Pagaran also scored in double figures for the Altas with 11 points, while Abis and Ralph Cauguiran took control in the pain by combining for 13 rebounds.

It also helped that Perpetual’s bench players also stepped up, delivering 44 points.

Joshua Gulab and Mart Barrera scored 15 and 10 points for the Bombers, who only managed six points off the Altas’ turnovers.

They were also outrebounded by Perpetual, 38-43.

 Meanwhile, the NCAA has identified one of the personalities involved in a mauling incident of a referee after the College of St. Benilde and Mapua game last Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In a statement released Tuesday, Sept. 10, the league said it is already conducting its own investigation in the matter and added that the Management Committee has been informed that the “said person will be banned by Mapua from participating in any of its school events.”

“The Mancom shall be guided by the association’s Manual of Operations in handling this concern and shall impose the appropriate penalty within its rules to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” the statement read.

The Mancom is also coordinating with the SM Mall of Asia Management to investigate how the incident unfolded; the security protocols observed and breached within the venue.

It also reported that the referee involved received immediate medical care and is currently in a “safe condition.”

“The NCAA does not condone violence. As the oldest premier collegiate league that prides itself in fostering sportsmanship, respect and camaraderie, violence of any kind has no place in our league,” the statement said.

The Scores

PERPETUAL 82 - Boral 17, Cruz 15, Pagaran 11, Orgo 7, Pizarro 7, Manuel 7, Gelsano 5, Montemayor 3, Abis 3, Cauguiran 3, Nunez 2, Sevilla 2, Javier 0, Danag 0, Movida 0.

JRU 66 - Guiab 15, Barrera 10, Pangilinan 8, Lozano 7, Argente 5, Ramos 5, Panapanaan 4, De Leon 4, Samontanes 3, Raymundo 2, Mosqueda 2, Medina 1, Benitez 0, Sarmiento 0, Ferrer 0.

Quarters: 20-21; 41-41; 64-56; 82-66.