UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA hopes to notch its first back-to-back wins when it faces Lyceum on Thursday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament today at the Altas gym in Las PiñasCity.
But it won’t be easy, knowing how dangerous the Pirates are and Altas coach Frankie Lim said they can only achieve their goal if they double their effort in both ends – sharper on offense and rock-solid defensively.
“That’s the only thing I can think of if we want to get our second straight win. Everything that we’ll do, we have to double our effort. Outplay, outrun, outhustle our opponent,” he said.
The game between the Altas and the Pirates is set at 4 p.m., right after the 2 p.m. encounter between their junior teams.
The game is also the last of the league’s “On Tour”.
After beating Mapua in its season-opener, 80-78, Perpetual Help dropped its next three assignments before ending its skid with a 75-73 win over host Arellano – thanks to the heroics of Edgar Charcos.
This marks the first game of the Altas in a week after their game with the San Sebastian Stags were called off due to bad weather.
“After the games we’re cancelled, we focused on the next one, and we’re done our part preparing for this big game against Lycuem,” said Lim, who guided the team to the Final Four last season.
To be able to pull off an upset against Lyceum, Perpetual Help needs to take advantage of the home court as students and supporters are expected to pack the gym.
“We just have to stick to the system and play hard. This is our home court and we have to defend it. We’re familiar of course (with the venue) but have to play well for us to have a chance (on winning),” said Charcos.
As for the Pirates, energetic guard Jaycee Marcelino is expected to suit up after missing the team’s 95-77 win opposite Jose Rizal University last July 26, and the postponement of last Friday’s game with Arellano University somehow helped him gain extra rest.
Marcelino will have an exciting match-up against Charcos in the backcourt.
The return of Lyceum center Mike Nzeusseu, who missed the team’s first three games due to a hand injury he sustained during the off-season, has given Lyceum a boost at the frontline. (WAYLON GALVEZ)
