The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas scraped past the University of the East Red Warriors to take another win in Group B of the 2017 FilOil Flying V Pre-season Premier Cup, 72-68, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Altas evened their record to 2-2 to revive their quarterfinals hopes. The Red Warriors, on the other hand, slipped to 2-3 in Group A.
Gab Dagangon finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead Perpetual. However, it was Jack Hao’s second-half explosion that kept the Las Piñas-based squad above waters. The guard registered 14 markers, six rebounds, and three steals.
The Altas turned a three-point opening-quarter deficit to a huge 13-point lead, as birthday boy GJ Ylagan fired an open trey in the middle of the third period.
UE then countered with a huge 9-0 run to regain the lead at 61-60 with a Mark Maloles drive.
Hao took matters into his own hands and lifted the Altas with huge baskets both outside and inside to 71-65.
The Red Warriors had a golden chance to restore parity as Rom Mangalino was called for unsportsmanlike foul on Nick Abanto. The UE forward made his shot and the bonus free throw, but the team came up empty in the extra possession.
A Mangalino split from the line was then enough for the Altas to seal their second win.
Head coach Nic Omorogbe admitted that his team is still a “work in progress”. Nonetheless, the former Altas center has full confidence in his team despite that late run from UE.
“I said, ‘Just keep playing.’ Basketball is a momentum game. We’ll get ours, they’ll get theirs. We need to make adjustments; and whatever they give us, we need to respond,” he noted.
Perpetual will try to build on this win when they face Jose Rizal University on Friday, May 28, at 3:15 pm.
Alvin Pasaol carried UE with 19 points and eight rebounds. The forward, however, had a horrible 2-of-11 outing from the outside.
The Red Warriors will attempt to bounce back when they battle San Beda College later that day at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
UPHSD (72) – Daganon 14, Hao 14, Mangalino 12, Pido 9, Coronel 7, Ylagan 6,Lucente 5,Yuhico 3, Sadiwa 2, Singontiko 0, Tamayo 0.
UE (68) – Pasaol 19, Abanto 7, Maloles 7, Olayon 6, Derige 6, Cullar 5, Cruz 5,Bartolome 4, Green 3, Armenion 2, Gagante 2, Magbuhos 2, Manalang 0, Conner 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 37-33, 57-48, 72-68
