Entering the second round, the Univesity of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas were in a slump, having lost four of their last five games. In one of those losses, a game-winner by Bong Quinto had lifted the Letran Knights past the Altas in a emotionally-charged contest.
So when the Altas took on the Knights to open their second round campaign, fifth-year swingman Gab Dagangon did not allow an encore.
“Sabi nga ni coach sa amin, walang bibigay kasi siyempre bagong sistema, gusto naming manalo,” recalled Dagangon of what head coach Jimwell Gican had told them.
“Sinabi ni coach, hindi pa tapos ang laban, may pag-asa pa kaming makahabol sa Final Four.”
With consultant Nic Omorogbe out of Perpetual for a while due to personal reasons, the 24-year-old Dagangon did not want to disappoint Gican, who entrusted him to play 30 minutes — and ended up scoring eight of his 21 points in the final 15 minutes of the contest.
Moreover, his big shots in overtime helped the Altas fend off the Knights to take an 88-82 win to lift Perpetual’s slate to 4-6.
“Kaya, iniisip namin lagi bawat laro, mahalaga. Walang gi-give up. Kasi yung talo namin noong nakaraan sa kanila, parang nag-give up kami noon. Kaya ngayon, na-contain naman namin yun unti-unti,” Dagangon furthered.
And with the league entering its final stretch, Dagangon hopes that they can sustain the momentum they gained in this game for another Final Four berth.
“Sana, sana matuloy-tuloy itong laro na ito. Lalo na ngayon, kailangan ‘yung tulong ko ngayon sa team.”
