University of Perpetual Help System Dalta aims to retain its spot on top when it battles Jose Rizal University in Season 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors’ basketball tournament today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Action starts at 12 noon with the Las Piñas-based dribblers looking to keep the lead that will inch them closer to a Final Four return.

In their previous game, the Junior Altas flaunted their might as they clobbered Lyceum of the Philippines University, 71-39, to claim their fifth win in six matches.

Lebron Jhames Daep posted 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block while Jim Corpuz had 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Jan Roluna contributing 10 points and four rebounds for the Junior Altas, who are determined to win the title they lost to Letran College last year.

Still, Perpetual coach Joph Cleofas asserted that there’s still a wide room for improvement.

“My constant reminder to them is that we need to overcome ourselves whenever they have on and off games. There’s still more work to do,” Cleopas said.

Aside from Daep, Corpuz and Roluna, the Junior Altas will also bank on Icee Callanga, who posted eight points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals against the Junior Pirates, as well as Kelsey Baldoria, TJ Tabbuan, and Keanne Zanoria.

Trailing Perpetual in the team standings are San Beda University, La Salle Green Hills, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Mapua University who are tied at the second spot with 3-2 cards while Arellano University, JRU and San Sebastian College fashion 2-3 records, leaving Lyceum as the only team without a win in five starts.