The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas continue to surprise in the 2016 FilOil Flying V Premier Cup.
After a whitewashing of the UP Maroons, the Altas shot the lights out in shooting 52% from the field to stave-off the National University Bulldogs, 78-66, Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Gab Dagangon led the Altas with 23 markers on an excellent 10 for 14 shooting clip in the game. Moreover, the gunslinger scored six in the final frame that helped turn a five point third quarter lead to an 18 point edge with a minute left in the game.
“I told my players that my system does not favor anyone. If you play well, you will stick to the floor,” Perpetual coach Nic Omorogbe said about Dagangon, who played 29 minutes in the game.
National University did not have Jjay Alejandro (sore right hand) and Alfred Aroga (back spasms) for today’s game. The Bulldogs though did not feel the effects of it in the first half with the troika of Cedrick Labing-isa, JP Cauilan, and Rev Diputado leading the way.
“Naturally I thought we struggled. I never thought NU would come out like this,” Omorogbe said about NU. “We play in different leagues so we don’t know how they play. Even if we won, it does not mean that we are the better team.”
In the final frame, the Altas were limited to just five points, two field goals, in the first four minutes of the quarter. On the other end, transferee Daryl Singontiko sparking a 11-5 run. The lead further ballooned later on to 18 points, 78-60, with 1:10 remaining after the only basket of Kervin Lucente.
Singontiko added 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the win. He was able to knockdown three triples as well. “Daryl is not just a good player, he is a great player. I know he is lazy but he can play,” Omorogbe said about his rookie.
For the Bulldogs, Rev Diputado led the way with 12 markers of the bench and was able to dish out five assists. Labing-isa and Cauilan both had eight points apiece.
The Perpetual Altas (A, 2-0) will next face NCAA rivals, the Arellano University Chiefs, on Friday, May 13 at 5:00pm. The NU Bulldogs (A, 1-1) are hoping that Alejandro and Aroga will return in time for their match-up against the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, May 14 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
UPHSD (78) – Dagangon 23, Eze 12, Singontiko 11, Akhuetie 11, Ylagan 7, Coronel 6, Yuhico 2, Pido 2, Sadiwa 2, Lucente 2, Dizon 0.
NU (66) – Diputado 12, Labing-sa 8, Cauilan 8, Yu 6, Salem 6, Morido 5, Mosqueda 5, Gaye 5, Abatayo 3, Aquino 2, Go 2, Salim 2, Salim 2, Gallego 2.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 33-29, 55-50, 78-66.
