Perpetual Help’s Bright Akhuetie (in gold uniform) attempts a shot over the defense of NU’s Seny Gaye. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net
University of Perpetual Help head coach Aric del Rosario thinks this version of the Altas is far from last year’s group in terms of talent.
So far, though, the Altas are showing they could at least be just as good with the way they’re playing in the preseason.
“Malayo sila sa team ko (They’re far from the team I had) last year,” said Del Rosario after Perpetual Help wrapped up its campaign in the elimination round of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup with a 7-1 record after beating an injury-depleted National University, 86-76, on Saturday. “Marami akong (I have a lot of) shooters last season katulad (like) Baloria and Arboleda.”
The Altas, who made the Final Four last season, lost a lot of production on both ends with the departure of Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda and Justin Alano due to graduation but they still have reigning NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson and have brought in a dominant Nigerian import Bright Akhuetie.
Thompson missed the game against the Bulldogs but the Altas hardly needed his contributions with Akhuetie posting 21 points, three assists, three steals and a block in 21 minutes.
“Ang gusto ko kay Bright ‘yung ugali niya na ayaw talagang matalo. Kahit sa mga scrimmage sinasabihan niya mga kakampi niya na huwag magpatalo,” praised Del Rosario of Akhuetie.
(What I like about Bright is his attitude. He hates losing. Even in scrimmages, he tells his teammates to refuse losing.)
The do-it-all Thompson is in Singapore as part of the Gilas cadet squad tasked to extend the Philippines’ reign in men’s basketball in the Southeast Asian Games.
Perpetual Help secured the No. 2 spot in Group A and is still waiting for its quarterfinals opponent in one of the De La Salle, University of Santo Tomas or NCAA champion San Beda.
READ: Filoil: San Beda weathers SWU to claim fifth win
Most of the time, coaches and players refuse to pick the team they would want to face in the playoffs but Del Rosario, the legendary coach in the collegiate ranks, didn’t beat around the bush.
“Sana San Beda na para magkaalaman na (I hope it’s San Beda so we’d know where we stand).” IDL