The Flying V Thunder made their debut on home soil and in front of their colleagues on Friday afternoon. However, the recently-completed team found that there is still work to be done, as they figured in a 77-77 tie against the Arellano University Chiefs in their first tune-up game.
“This is really good for us. This is very helpful. We have a lot of learnings dun sa game na yun. I’m sure you know –- newly formed yung team,” Flying V head coach Eric Altamirano said. “We had a couple of practices and I expected this type of game to happen especially at the start of the season. But one thing positive about the game is we were able to come back.”
Down 67-75 late, the Thunder rallied back with a 7-0 run capped by a Jeron Teng three-point play and a clutch Eric Salamat triple with 43.9 seconds remaining.
Teng finished the game with a game-high 19 points in 30 minutes of action, while Salamat chipped in 13 markers to go along with eight assists and four steals.
Last conference’s leading scorer Teng was able put Flying V up with a scintillating lay-in. However, off a time out, Kent Salado was able to rebound an Ariel Aguilar miss from downtown and locate Aguilar for the game-tying teardrop.
Teng tried to ice the game afterwards but his shot was swatted away by Salado as time expired.
“Malayo pa. We’re a long, long ways off. Conditioning-wise, habit-wise, dami pa. Dami pa kailangan ayusin,” Altamirano furthered.
Gab Banal added 13 points for Flying V. However, the Thunder committed 20 turnovers in the game.
Salado paced Arellano with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Richard Abanaes had 15 markers as well.
Flying V’s next tune-up will be against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Sunday, May 7, at 3:15pm. Arellano, on the other hand, take on the National University Bulldogs on Friday, May 12, at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
Flying V (77) – Teng 19, Salamat 13, Banal 13, Torres 8, Thiele 8, Colina 4, Webb 4, Tampus 4, Dionisio 2, Ongteco 2, Hubalde 0, Sinco 0.
AU (77) – Salado 15, Abanes 15, Nicholls 12, Canete 11, Enriquez 8, Villoria 6, Meca 5, Aguilar 4, Alcoriza 1, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Padilla 0, Concepcion 0, Rivera 0, Juico 0, Gupilan 0, Cahigas 0, Filart 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 36-34, 54-52, 77-77.
