UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA remains the only undefeated team in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 seniors basketball action and Patrick Sleat is one reason why.
Averaging 10.75 points, 5.25 rebounds, 3.5 assists, one steal and 1.75 blocks in the Altas’ first four games, Sleat made an immediate impact in his first season in the grand old league.
The last time that the Las Piñas-based crew went 4-0 won-lost was in 2015 when Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie were running the show.
Sleat’s consistent performance in Perpetual’s best start in a decade earned him the first Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week award this season-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission-for the period of October 1 to 12.
The former Far Eastern University Tamaraw’s highlight in the four-game run was a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds on top of five assists, three blocks and a steal in their 75-65 win over defending champion Mapua University last Wednesday.
With the game tied at 65 with four minutes left, Sleat sealed the Altas’ late 10-0 run to claim the victory.
Before that, Sleat had 10 points in a 67-54 win against San Sebastian, followed by a nine-point outing against Lyceum of the Philippines University which they won, 73-61.
After that win against Mapua, Perpetual Help notched its fourth straight win against Arellano University, 72-67, where Sleat making 12 points, three rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.
Sleat edged teammate Mark Gojo Cruz, Janti Miller of San Beda University, Sean Salvador of Jose Rizal University, Justine Sanchez of College of Saint Benilde and JC Recto of Mapua University for the citation supported by Discovery Suites and Buffalo Wings N’ Things.
The 24-year-old Sleat admitted he felt at home in Perpetual, especially with head coach Olsen Racela, his former coach at FEU, calling the shots.
Racela said Sleat’s veteran presence will be one of their key factors in Season 101.
‘We need his experience,’ Racela said.