In a battle between two debuting head coaches, it was 26-year-old head coach Nic Omorogbe and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas who passed their first game in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup, whitewashing the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 73-61, Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
After the Fighting Maroons were able to gain an early lead through Dave Moralde’s five quick points, the Las Piñas squad took control of the game and never relinquished the advantage. Prince Eze and Gab Daganon took over the game as Perpetual led by double-digits at the half, warding off the inspired performance from UP’s second-year player Noah Webb.
The Altas put the game out of reach in the third quarter, as they limited the Maroons to just seven points in the canto. Perpetual, on the other hand, produced 18 points.
“Last year, we were relying on Bright (Akhuetie) and Scott (Thompson),” said Perpetual coach Nic Omorogbe after the game. “Watching tape from last year, it just came to my mind that we have a lot of talent.”
Daganon virtually sealed the win for the Altas with a jumper, four minutes left in the ball game, as they were still up with the biggest lead of the match, 71-49. The Maroons ended the game on a 12-3 run behind the outside shooting of Pio Longa, but it was too late, as Perpetual took their first win of the tournament.
“We need to put that talent together and give people opportunity. We move the ball and see what can happen from there,” Omorogbe added.
Daganon played big for the Altas, scoring 15 points off 2/4 3-point shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Eze added 13 markers and six rebounds for Perpetual.
Tekoudjou top scored for the Maroons with 10 points, while shooters Longa and Moralde pinched eight 8 points each.
The Perpetual Altas (A, 1-0) will next face the NU Bulldogs on Saturday, May 7 at 3:15pm. On the other hand, the UP Fighting Maroons (A, 0-1) will next face the FEU Tamaraws (A, 1-0) on Wednesday, May 11 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
UPHSD (73) – Dagangon 15, Eze 13, Ylagan 11, Akhuetie 11, Lucente 6, Singontiko 5, Dizon 5, Coronel 3, Pido 2, Sadiwa 2, Yuhico 0, Saldua 0, Oliveria 0, Mangalino 0, Hao 0.
UP (61) – Tekondjou 10, Longa 8, Moralde 8, Asilum 7, Harris 5, Desiderio 5, Webb 5, Dario 4, Vito 3, Lao 2, Abarcar 2, Sablan 2, Romero 0, Jaboneta 0, Espanola 0, Battad 0, Bederi 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 40-30, 58-37, 73-61.
