By: Miguel Caramoan
With its UAAP and Perpetual High School recruits making an immediate impact, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA made its mark early in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament, defeating San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 67-54, Friday at the Filoil Centre.
“Happy kami na nakuha namin yung first win namin of the season, but we have a lot of work to do,” said second-year Altas head coach Olsen Racela, as they joined Mapua at the top of Group A for the early lead.
“San Sebastian is a tough team. Na-delay kami doon sa kanilang half-court trap, but we were able to figure it out in the second half.”
The Altas quickly established control, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter, 22-10 — a margin that ultimately proved decisive.
Former FEU Tamaraw Patrick Sleat had a strong start, scoring eight of his 10 points in the opening half. He also recorded five assists and four rebounds before fouling out late in Perpetual’s wire-to-wire victory.
Perpetual maintained control throughout the contest, leading by as much as 16 points, 58-41, with 4:34 remaining.
San Sebastian managed to cut the deficit to eight, 60-52, before Shaun Orgo drained a rally-stopping three-pointer with 1:56 left to play.
Mark Gojo Cruz sparked the Altas in the second half, dropping 13 of his 15 points after halftime, including three triples in the fourth quarter.
Ginebra draftee Cedrick Abis chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while JP Boral contributed 10 points and six boards.
The Altas will next face the Lyceum Pirates on Sunday.
The loss spoiled the debut of new Golden Stags head coach Rob Labagala, as San Sebastian struggled mightily on offense, shooting just 28.3-percent from the field while allowing Perpetual to connect on 43.1-percent of its attempts.
Tristan Felebrico was the lone bright spot for the Stags, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds. Rafael Are, who averaged 17.88 points last season, was held to just six points on 2-of-6 shooting.
San Sebastian will attempt to bounce back on Tuesday against the Arellano Chiefs.
The Scores:
Perpetual 67 – Gojo Cruz 15, Sleat 10, Boral 10, Abis 10, Orgo 8, Tulabut 6, Maglupay 2, Casinillo 2, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0
San Sebastian 54 – Felebrico 12, Dela Rama 8, Gabat 7, Ricio 7, Are 6, Cuajao 6, Dimaunahan 3, Castor 2, Velasco 2, Nepacena 1, Lumanag 0
Quarterscores: 22-12, 30-19, 43-34, 67-54
