Injury-plagued Altas look to return to NCAA elite
Last year the Perpetual Help Altas crashed the NCAA Final Four party to the surprise of many.
With Babayemi Femi commanding the boards, Nosa Omorogbe chipping in from the paint, Chris Elopre pulling the strings, Scotty Thompson racking up big numbers and Jett Vidal dropping game-winning shots from range, the Altas were the feel-good story of the league.
It was a sensational Perpetual debut season for Aric Del Rosario, who had led UST to multiple titles in the UAAP.
A year later, things don't look quite as rosy for the Las Piñas-based squad.
Perpetual Help finished the Filoil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup with an ugly 1-7 slate, no thanks to a rash of injuries to key players.
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Femi has only recently started practicing as he recovers from back problems. Del Rosario hopes to have him ready by the start of the NCAA late this month. “Ayoko siyang mabigla” says the coach, which is why he is easing him into full practice speed.
Veteran big Anthony Paulino has been out with an injured MCL. Thompson also has back issues and was unable to contribute that much in Filoil. The Davao slasher has already begun practicing hard and according to Del Rosario, “okay na ang galaw niya.”
“Maraming kulang” says Del Rosario of his injury woes, “kaya ang ginawa ko, binibigyan ko ng playing time ang mga rookie.”
First and foremost is Juneric Baloria. Plucked from the playgrounds of Angeles, Pampanga by Del Rosario, Baloria, a shade under six feet, can strike from outside and slash into the paint. Baloria dropped eighteen markers in a close 79-78 loss to Adamson and laid 22 against Beda in another losing effort.
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“Nakita ko siya sa mga liga-liga” says Del Rosario. “Naglalaro siya sa semento, iniisip ko na pagdating sa totoong court (wood) mas gagaling pa yun.”
Baloria may be slightly undersized for the shooting guard, which is why Del Rosario has also been trying him out at point guard to spell Elopre.
Elopre is in his final season of eligibility and the Zamboangan has been struggling with his game. Del Rosario's response: let him play through his funk.
“Ibinababad ko para magka-kumpiyansa.”
Nosa Omorogbe has also been effective, pumping in almost 32 minutes a game from the three and four spots. The Nigerian has been much healthier this year than last. However he averages almost four turnovers a game, which should be a concern.
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Fortunately Omorogbe and Femi are now getting along swimmingly. The two Nigerians had a frosty relationship at times last season and once even had to be separated in practice when they got into a verbal altercation that almost resulted in blows.
“Kinausap ko na sila. Malaking problema yun dati pero ok na” says Del Rosario.
Del Rosario certainly misses Vidal, who is now playing in the PBA D-League for Jumbo Plastic Linoleum.
“Ang laki ng puso nun” says Del Rosario of the sniper, who made a habit out of rescuing the Altas with dramatic last-minute jumpers last season.
Partly filling in the void will be Harold Arboleda from Cavite, who has bulked up since his early college years and has been solid in the preseason.
Apart from Baloria, another promising rookie is Gerard Dizon. Two months ago the 2-guard from Tarlac served up 27 points in a 73-69 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College in the Fr. Martin Cup.
The Altas had one of their finest seasons in recent memory in making the Final Four last year. But in spite of their injury woes, Del Rosario is aiming higher in 2013.
“Sinabi ko sa mga bata na wag ma-kuntento sa Final Four last year. Dapat ma-improve pa ang standing.”
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.
