Man on the run - Chris Elopre (left) evades the defense of Lyceum's Vence Laude. KC Cruz
Head coach Aric Del Rosario was still as sharp as the last time he prowled the sidelines.
Del Rosario's season debut in the 88th NCAA seniors division basketball tournament was a rousing success, as the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta downed a lethargic Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates squad, 82-70, Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Despite seeing their 17-point (74-57) advantage disappear early in the second half, the Altas were perpetually in attack mode, executing well and defending, on their way to their first win of the season, a year after starting out 0-4 as tourney hosts.
“I felt a little bit nervous because I’m not coaching for the last nine years, but I feel so right now, when you won your first game,” said Del Rosario, who coached the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to four straight UAAP men’s basketball titles during the 90’s.
Although he was a little disappointed when his team lost their huge lead of the game, the 72-year-old Del Rosario said, “Sometimes games like this happen, so as a coach you should know how to adjust and keep your team in winning the game.”
Sophomore Earl Thompson (right) launches a floater over shot-blocker Joseph Ambohot. KC Cruz
Senior Alta Jett Vidal delivered 17 points on a 7-of-14 shooting clip from the field, including some key baskets in the last quarter to maintain their distance from Lyceum.
“I told him [(Vidal] that this is your last year and you need to make sure Perpetual will reach the Final Four. You are a veteran of this team,” said Del Rosario of his marquee player.
Perpetual Help last made the Final Four in Season 80, back in 2004, when they finished tied for the league's best record with eventual champs Philippine Christian University, who swept them in the Finals.
Lyceum trimmed their deficit all the way to three, 57-54, after the end of the the third quarter, but the Altas quashed any hopes of a comeback by igniting a 14-2 run for a 74-61 lead with 5:48 left in the game.
Earl Thompson had 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a whopping four blocks, while controversial rookie Nosa Omorogbe notched 14 points, nine from the foul line, and seven boards for Perpetual Help, including a timely basket with 15 seconds to go in the second period that gave his side a 14-point cushion.
The Pirates, who now have a 0-2 card in the first round, leaned on sniper Chris Cayabyab’s 17 points, though he needed 15 attempts to reach that output. Mark Francisco and Shane Ko added 11 each, along with a combined 18 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to see coach Bonnie Tan's squad through.
Like in their season debut against St. Benilde, when they were outran 23-14 on fastbreak points, Lyceum once again was hurt in transition, this time, losing out in that category 18-4.
The Altas get a quick break before returning to action on Saturday, against the current hosts, the Letran Knights, while Lyceum face the reigning back-to-back champions, the San Beda College Red Lions on Monday.
- AMD, GMA News
The scores:
UPHSD 82 – Vidal 17, Thompson 16, Omorogbe 14, Paulino 9, Allen 6, Babayemi 6, Jolangcob 5, Alano 5, Elopre 2, Arboleda 2, Asuncion 0.
LPU 70 – Cayabyab 17, Francisco 11, Ko 11, Zamora 9, Laude 8, Ambohot 4, Azores 4, Guevarra 4, Garcia 2, Edding 0, Mallari 0, Martinez 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarter scoring: 19-14, 39-26, 57-54, 82-70
Inboundpass has been covering collegiate basketball for six years. For more NCAA stories and information, check out inboundpass.com and follow Inboundpass on Twitter at @inboundpass
