The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas were coming into the season with few expectations.
The Altas were just starting out with a new head coach in Frankie Lim. Moreover, the only holdovers from last season’s team were Prince Eze, AJ Coronel, Rommel Mangalino, and Antonio Tamayo.
But Perpetual have been turning heads so far in the NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball tournament.
In their first seven games, they have already accumulated five wins – eclipsing their win total from last season.
This is mainly thanks to their so-called rookies stepping up, including former JRU Heavy Bombers Kim Aurin.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation for the Altas. After rarely seeing minutes for the JRU Heavy Bombers back in Season 92, the 6-foot-2 cager has been the do-it-all player for Lim, averaging 10.43 points, 4.28 rebounds, 4.71 assists, 1.85 steals, and 1.29 blocks per game.
Aurin recalled that it had just been Lim’s experiment to plug him in this spot.
“Nung sa JRU kasi ang kasabayan ko nun sila [Teytey] Teodoro at sila [Paolo] Pontejos, kaya siguro hindi ako nabibigyan ng oras dun. Pero dito kasi sa Perpetual, para akong rookie ulit. Onse kaming bago dito,” admitted Aurin.
“Hindi ko ine-expect [yung production] kasi experiment lang talaga ni coach yun eh. Gumana na lang.”
The combo guard showed his worth on Thursday afternoon during Perpetual’s 74-68 win over Mapua. When the Cardinals came creeping in, slicing the Altas’ once-11 point lead down to just two, Aurin delivered on both ends on back-to-back possessions to stop the bleeding for Perpetual and seal the win.
This was because of the trust given to him by Lim.
“Tamang-tama yung pasok ko [kay Aurin.] We had a good ano. That’s good. He had a couple of blunders, kaya ko nilabas. Buti na lang nakabawi siya. Nakabawi nung pinasok,” recalled Lim.
“Una kasi puro kasi turnover ako. Kailangan kong bumawi. Yung turnover. Malaking ano sa akin yung turnover,” added Aurin, who had 22 points, five assists, five steals, and four rebounds.
“Sinabi ko sa isip ko na kailangan kong bumawi para sa team at kay coach.”
But even if the Altas have achieved their mission of one-upping last season’s win total, Aurin is not yet contented.
“Lagi namang may pressure eh. Sabi nga ni coach [Frankie Lim], ‘Once you sign on the paper, the pressure starts’. Kailangan lang namin i-embrace yun.”
