Patrick Sleat admitted he felt a little too excited when he made his University of Perpetual Help System DALTA debut on Friday.
In his very first NCAA game, the 6-foot-2 forward from Puerto Galera immediately made an impact, scoring eight points in the opening six minutes.
“Sobrang excited. Aga ko natulog kagabi, talagang can’t wait just to wake up and play today,” quipped Sleat.
However, his eagerness came with a price as he ran into foul trouble in the second half, eventually fouling out late in their 67-54 wire-to-wire win over San Sebastian.
“Siguro sa next game, I will control my emotions more,” he admitted.
Despite the early jitters, Sleat’s transition was smooth. A former Far Eastern University lifer, he joined Olsen Racela’s program last year when he transferred to Perpetual.
Once regarded as a utility player during his Tamaraw days, Sleat has now been tasked with a bigger role by Racela — to serve as a leader for the young Altas squad.
“Yung role ko kasi talaga sa team ngayon is leader. Gusto ni coach not just scoring at mag-create ako for the team para mag-create din kami for each other. Isa kasi ako sa pinaka-matanda sa team now,” said the 24-year-old forward, who remains eligible to play in the NCAA until next season.
“Sobrang laking bagay na kasama ko si Coach Olsen kasi hindi na ko nahirapan mag-adjust kasi alam ko na yung gusto niyang sistema, alam ko na yung gusto niya sa practices, at samahan sa team.”
Alongside Sleat, Racela also brought in former UAAP standouts LA Casinillo, JM Tulabut, Kenji Duremdes, and Allen Maglupay to help guide Perpetual and mentor its younger players.
“I know malaki pa yung kaya nila i-contribute, but that’s why we brought them here is to help our program. I think they did that today,” Racela said.
“I expect them to grow as the season progresses.”
With reports from Miguel Caramoan
