UPHSD Altas commences NCAA campaign
August 16, 2013LAST year’s semifinalist University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas will start their campaign in the 89th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament when they take on the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Thursday at the San Juan Arena in San Juan City. In the other game, opening day loser San Sebastian College Stags will attempt to bounce back when they battle the Arellano University Chiefs.
The Stags, a 69-74 loser to Letran on Saturday face the Chiefs at 4 p.m. to be followed by the game between the Altas and the Generals at 6 p.m.
The Las Pinas City-based Altas, now without veterans Jefferson Vidal and Jorge Allen, will parade new talents in their quest to improve their fourth place finish last year.
Nigerian Nicolas Omorogbe, 6’7 center Femi Babayemi and skipper Harold Arboleda will lead the Altas offense along with Justo Alano, Mark Bitoy, Chris-per Elopre, Joel Jolango, Anthony Paulino and last year’s Mythical Five and Most Improved Player awardee Earl Scottie Thompson.
On the other side, the Generals are fielding three-year veteran Jan Niccolo Jamon, sophomores Igee Bobbie King, John Mon-teclaro, Jose Morada, Elyzar Paguia and John Tayongtong to stop the Altas’ onslaught.
In the other game, the Stags after losing Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual would test the mettle of nine rookies.
The Chiefs on the other hand, will rely on veterans Ralph Salcedo and Prince Renmer Caperal as well as sophomores Nichole Bangga, Julius Cada – vis, James Forrester, Levi Her-nandez and John Pinto.