ONCE the biggest surprise in the early goings of the NCAA Season 101, Perpetual should not be surprising anyone, anymore.
At this point, the wins should be expected.
The boys of coach Olsen Racela showed great composure in the end-game after hacking out a 72-67 win over the tough Arellano Chiefs to sweep its first run of Group A action on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"I'm very very pleased with how they've responded. The effort they're putting in, especially on the defensive end, yun ang palagi naming sinasabi sa kanila e," Racela said.
"I like their effort. I like their focus in practice. I think yung focus na yun carries over at nakikita natin sa gameplan na pinapasok namin, they're really following up to the final detail nung game plan namin."
Patrick Sleat was clutch on both ends of the floor - securing stops before hitting the dagger to tow the Altas to their fourth win in as many games and get their best start in a decade.
The Altas saw their 11-point lead trimmed down to two, 67-65, with a minute and 32 seconds remaining following a T-Mc Ongotan basket but Sleat answered right back, converting on an acrobatic lay-up on the next possession to keep the Chiefs at bay.
A flagrant foul for a clear path on Ongotan after the Chiefs turnover sealed the fate of Arellano.
Mark Gojo Cruz led the way for the Altas with 13 points while Sleat finished with 12 points and three blocks.
But more so than the Fil-Australian's numbers, it's his presence which makes him invaluable to coach Olsen's team.
"Si Patrick he has so much experience. He knows when to control the game, when to ask for the ball, at the same time he's very unselfish," Racela said of Sleat.
"That's the reason why we brought him here. To help us, and to help the guards. I think my guards are playing well also but iba yung may Patrick Sleat ka kasi parang may secondary guard ka sa loob."
Ongotan led the way for the Chiefs with 20 points, five rebounds and four steals but that went for naught as they fell to 1-2.
The scores:
PERPETUAL 72 – Gojo Cruz 13, Sleat 12, Alcantara 11, Boral 8, Orgo 7, Casinilio 7, Tulabut 6, Nuñez 4, Abis 2, Maglupay 2, Pagulayan 0, Guibao 0
ARELLANO 67 – Ongotan 20, Valencia 10, Vinoya 8, Libang 6, Hernal 6, Geronimo 5, Camay 4, Borromeo 4, Cabotaje 2, Acop 2, Buenaventura 0, Abiera 0, Langit 0, Anama 0
Quarters: 15-18, 41-32, 58-49, 72-67
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