Stags test surprise leader Altas today

ALMOST everyday since he assumed the coaching job at Perpetual Help, Aric del Rosario leaves his Quezon City home at 4 a.m. and travels to Las Piñas for the Altas’ practice at 6 a.m.

Two games into the 88th NCAA season, Del Rosario and the Altas are reaping the fruits of the work they have put in.

The Altas seek to sustain their strong start to the season when they clash with the fancied San Sebastian Stags today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Gametime is at 4 p.m. with the Altas looking for a third straight victory against a San Sebastian squad which picked up its first win only a couple of days ago.

San Beda guns for its second victory against struggling Lyceum in the nightcap at 6 a.m.

The Lions will have eight players back from a one-game suspension as they seek a follow-up to their 81-71 conquest of the Arellano Chiefs last June 24.

Jake Pascual, Anjo Caram, Rome Dela Rosa, Ryussei Koga, Melo Lim, Kyle Pascual, JP Mendoza and Baser Amer will now join forces with the six men whose exploits against Arellano made heads turn.

It will be interesting to see how coach Ronnie Magsanoc shuffles his men after the stirring performances of Yvan Ludovice, Francis Abarcar, Ritchie Villaruz, Art dela Cruz, JR Bonsubre and Dave Moralde in their season debut.

After successive seasons where it finished in last place and in ninth spot in Season 87, Perpetual Help is an unlikely early leader.

The tough 69-66 victory over the Letran Knights last Saturday boosted the Altas’ stock, but Del Rosario has refused to get carried away, stressing that there’s plenty of work to be done.