WITH the University of the Philippines wearing threads inspired by his own title team, Eric Altamirano ushered in a new era for the Fighting Maroons women's team filled with hope.
For three quarters in their first outing in UAAP Season 89, though, that looked like it would be far from enough against an Ateneo side powered by two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa.
And then Camille Nolasco caught fire, shooting State U to an 89-82 comeback triumph over the Blue Eagles, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena and gifting Altamirano a win right away in his homecoming.
"It's good to be back here in the UAAP. Pero mahirap pa rin. We had to come from behind, dig deep. I'm proud of these girls and their resiliency," said the veteran tactician, who had also guided National U's men's team to a championship in 2014.
A decade since coaching his last game for the Bulldogs, Altamirano and his wards were witnesses to yet another dominant display by Dela Rosa who already had 27 points and 15 rebounds with eight minutes still left.
Ateneo was up, 70-62, inside the last seven minutes, and yet, the Fighting Maroons kept coming, with Nolasco pouring in 13 of her 19 markers in a terrific 27-12 tear all the way to a season-opening win.
Debuting Kennan Ka was right there with the third-year guard and wound up with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, all while forming part of the multi-headed monster thrown at the hands-down best big in the tournament.
"It was just a team effort guarding her," she said after teaming up with Tiani Abrams, Blessing Francis, Shanina Tapawan, Shane Cunanan, and Achrissa Maw to tire out Dela Rosa, who became a non-factor in the endgame.
Lots of UP Fight left
Despite the promising beginning, Altamirano was quick to temper expectations for a new-look team that knows full well it has a long ways to go before its first playoff berth in three years.
"We're happy for this win, but we're still a work in progress. Marami pang kailangang ayusin," said the always-amiable mentor.
If ever UP does make its way back to the Final Four, it will be under the watchful eye of a school legend who was a key cog in their 1986 men's championship.
And if ever the Fighting Maroons go even further than that, they will be doing so wearing threads - courtesy of longtime outfitter Titan - inspired by the squad which won it all four decades ago.
The Scores:
UP 89 – Nolasco 19, Ka 15, Vingno 12, Ozar 10, Abrams 9, Pesquera 9, Francis 5, Tapawan 4, Loon 3, Cunanan 3, Maw 0.
ATENEO 82 – Dela Rosa 28, Calago 16, Makanjuola 12, Cruza 9, Oani 7, De Luna 4, Rodriguez 2, H. Lopez 2, Subejano 2, L. Lopez 0.
Quarters: 23-28, 41-49, 60-63, 89-82
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