13 games into the season, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas are a win away from matching their win total a season ago.
Last season, the Perpetual Altas were a full game behind from at least a playoff spot to end Scottie Thompson’s NCAA career
Watching the Altas live for the second time this season, Thompson is in awe of how stingy the defense of his former team has become.
“Isa yun sa pinaka nag-improve sa Altas ngayon, yung depensa,” the 23-year-old shared after Perpetual limited the Arellano Chiefs to their season-low output Thursday afternoon. “Halos lahat sila focused sila sa defense, kaya ang ganda ng record nila ngayon dahil siguro sa defense nila.”
Moreover, the fifth overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft praised the vast improvements third year guard Keith Pido displayed. Pido’s composure against Jalalon kept the team afloat for the entire course of the game.
“Nung last year pa lang, talagang si Pido, pwedeng-pwede na, kaso, siguro, dati wala lang sa kumpyansa,” the Panabo, Davao del Sur native said about his protégé.
“Sa practice naman, contender si Pido, talagang magaling at nakikipagbakbakan.
“Siguro yung pinaghirapan niya last year, nag-bunga ngayon kaya nabigyan siya ng kumpyansa.”
In the midst of the PBA Governors Cup, the leading rebounder of Ginebra this conference shared that he continues to keep tabs on his collegiate team even with his busy schedule.
“Congrats, sabi ko, sobrang proud ako sa kanila,” he shared. “Kahit wala na ako at di na ako naglalaro, every time na may laro sila, nanonood ako, pinapanood ko sila sa TV.”
“Yung suporta ko sa kanila, andito pa rin. Yung dugong Altas ko, nandito pa din.”
Furthermore, he stressed that his former teammates can win the crown that had eluded him during his stay with in Las Piñas.
“Talagang para sa akin, kayang-kaya nilang kunin yung championship ngayon kasi nakikita ko sa kanila na halos lahat ginagamit, halos lahat nagco-contribute,” the NCAA Season 90 MVP concluded.
“So siguro yun yung wala sa amin dati na meron sila ngayon. Halos lahat ng players kayang mag-contribute.”
