Letran Knights Hold Off Perpetual Altas, 84-77, in NCAA Philippines Season 102 Showdown

The CSJL Knight defeated the UPHSD Altas, 84-77, in a hard-fought NCAA Philippines basketball matchup on September 13, 2026, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Letran relied on a balanced offensive attack and a decisive fourth-quarter surge to secure the win, improving its standing in the Season 102 race while handing Perpetual a frustrating loss in a game it controlled for long stretches.

The final score of 84-77 reflects just how tight the contest was through three quarters. Letran led by four at halftime, trailed briefly in the third, and then outscored the Altas 28-19 over the final ten minutes to pull away. The Knights’ late-game execution, particularly on the defensive end, proved to be the difference in a matchup that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties.

Match Overview: Letran’s Balanced Attack vs. Perpetual’s Comeback Bid

Letran opened the game with an aggressive perimeter approach, knocking down three early triples to build a 19-14 lead. The Altas responded behind the interior play of Jelo Razon and Kier Toribio, who combined for 17 first-half points. By the break, the Knights held a narrow 42-38 advantage, thanks to 11 first-half points from guard Enzo Navarro and eight rebounds from forward Jared Verde.

The third quarter belonged to UPHSD. Perpetual opened the second half on a 12-4 run, forcing Letran into three turnovers in the first four minutes. A corner three from Axl Mendoza gave the Altas a 58-56 lead with 2:41 left in the period, their first advantage since the opening quarter. Letran answered with a pair of free throws from Verde, and the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 58-58.

Key Moments: How Letran Took Control in the Fourth

The Knights seized momentum early in the fourth with a 6-0 run capped by a Navarro step-back three-pointer. Perpetual refused to fold, cutting the deficit to 72-70 on a Toribio put-back with 4:12 remaining. That’s when Letran’s defense tightened. Paeng Arellano came up with a steal and transition layup, then Navarro drilled another three from the wing to push the lead to 77-70.

UPHSD made one last push. Razon scored five straight points, including a tough and-one, to make it 78-75 with 1:38 left. But Letran closed the game at the free-throw line, hitting six of its final eight attempts. A crucial offensive rebound by Verde with 28 seconds left effectively sealed the result.

• Game-changing run: Letran outscored Perpetual 14-5 over a four-minute stretch in the fourth quarter.
• Clutch shooting: The Knights hit 4 of 7 three-pointers in the final period.
• Defensive stops: Letran forced five Perpetual turnovers in the fourth quarter.
• Free-throw edge: Letran went 20-of-26 from the line, compared to 15-of-22 for Perpetual.

Tactical Story: Letran’s Zone Adjustment Pays Off

Perpetual’s half-court offense was effective through three quarters, particularly when Razon operated out of the high post. Letran coach switched to a 2-3 zone in the fourth, daring the Altas to beat them from the outside. The move worked: UPHSD shot just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc in the final period and committed several rushed attempts late in the shot clock.

Offensively, Letran leaned on ball movement and dribble penetration. Navarro and Arellano repeatedly collapsed the defense, kicking out to open shooters or finding Verde on the baseline. The Knights finished with 18 assists on 29 made field goals, a testament to their unselfish play. Perpetual, meanwhile, managed only 14 assists and often settled for contested mid-range jumpers.

Standout Players

• Enzo Navarro (CSJL): 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 three-pointers. Navarro was the primary playmaker and hit the biggest shot of the game in the fourth quarter.
• Jared Verde (CSJL): 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks. Verde controlled the glass and made key free throws down the stretch.
• Paeng Arellano (CSJL): 14 points, 6 assists, 4 steals. His defensive energy changed the game’s tempo.
• Jelo Razon (UPHSD): 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists. Razon was the best player on the floor for long stretches and kept Perpetual within striking distance.
• Kier Toribio (UPHSD): 15 points, 10 rebounds. Toribio battled inside and gave the Altas a physical presence.
• Axl Mendoza (UPHSD): 12 points, 4 rebounds. Mendoza provided a spark off the bench with timely shooting.

NCAA Philippines Standings and Season Impact

With the win, the CSJL Knight improved to 4-2 in NCAA Season 102, strengthening their position in the upper half of the standings. The UP