University of Perpetual Help was in desperate need of a burst of energy that it thoroughly lacked in last year’s NCAA season.
Enter Patrick Sleat.
The former Far Eastern University standout was the shot in the arm the Altas craved for, helping them carve out a 67-54 victory over the San Sebastian Stags Friday that jumpstarted their NCAA Season 101 campaign at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The 6-0 forward debuted with 10 points – including a triple, four rebounds, five assists and a steal without committing a single turnover – before fouling out late in the fourth and final quarter.
It was Sleat’s eight points and superb facilitation in the opening period that sparked the breakaway run and set the tone for the one-sided win.
‘Patrick was big for us,’ said UPHSD coach Olsen Racela, referring to his former player when he was still with the Tams in the UAAP. ‘He is a one player who can create, unselfish and looks for his open teammates and has experience.’
‘We expect a lot of things from him and our players look up to him,’ he added.
Mark Gojo Cruz led the scoring for the Las Pinas-based dribblers with 15 points, including three booming treys, while John Abis and John Boral, the team’s elder statesmen, chipped in 10 points apiece while combining for 13 rebounds while teaming up with Sleat in presiding over their rock-solid interior defense.
‘I like our defensive effort in this game, that was our battle cry before the game,’ said Racela.
It was a result that spoiled the coaching debut of Rob Labagala at SSC-R.
The scores:
UPHSD 67 – Gojo Cruz 15, Sleat 10, Boral 10, Abis 10, Orgo 8, Tulabut 6, Maglupay 2, Casinillo 2, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0.
SSC-R 54 – Felebrico 12, Dela Rama 8, Gabat 7, Ricio 7, Are 6, Cuajao 6, Dimaunahan 3, Castor 2, Velasco 2, Nepacena 1, Lumanag 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12; 30-19; 43-34; 67-54