Chiefs, Altas dispute lead in Filoil tilt

NCAA CONTENDERS Arellano University and the University of Perpetual Help test each other’s mettle today, even as Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian try to put behind painful losses in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.

Boasting experienced standouts, the Chiefs and Altas hope to extend their unbeaten starts in the tournament as they clash at 5 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Generals and Stags collide at 1:30 p.m. in another all-NCAA battle.

“I think this will be a test of how we are as a team,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codiñera. “This isn’t the NCAA but this is where you learn. When the NCAA comes, you cannot make too many mistakes or take too many losses.”

Jiovani Jalalon and Dioncee Holts have carried the fight for the Chiefs early in the premier preseason tournament but the Altas will try to counter with Gab Daganon and forward-center Bright Akhuetie.

Jalalon, who posted a handful of triple doubles last season, has been on a tear in the Filoil tournament with 16 points an outing. Donald Gumaru and Kent Salado complete the Chiefs’ solid backcourt.

Perpetual Help coach Nosa Omorgbe hopes to get more production from the likes of AJ Coronel and Gerald Dizon to complement Dagangon and Akhuetue.

“What we need are a few more players stepping up,” said Altas coach Nosa Omorogbe.

Adamson University seeks its first win against Lyceum at 3:15 p.m.