New coach leads Altas to 2-0 start in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Perpetual Help Altas stormed to their second straight win while the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners started their bid with a bang last Sunday in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament Sunday at the Far Eastern University gym in Morayta, Manila.

The Altas, with Cameroonian Nosa Omorogbe calling the shots, took the solo lead in Group B at the expense of the Philippine College of Criminology, 82-66.

The PMMS Mariners leaned on the heroics of Rocky Antonares, who had 15 points,  and their defense in the last 48 seconds to repulse the FEU Tamaraws, 70-68, to post their first win in Group A.

The Altas took charge right away with AJ Coronel and Daryl Singontiko hitting 18 and 17 points.

This put them ahead in Group B, and ahead of the University of the East Warriors and the PCCr Criminologists.

Singontiko scored 10 points in the first period, including 2 triples which propelled the Altas to a 21-12 edge at the end of the quarter.

Kevin Lucente added 7 points in the second period as the Altas went on to widen their lead to 16 at halftime, 47-31.

“Our game was pretty good. We came out ready. For us, winning this is a big thing, coming out of the last NCAA season not  making it to the Final Four,” said Omorogbe.

The Altas started off their campaign with a 78-76 win over the UE Warriors two weeks ago, with Coronel scoring the winning shot.

Meanwhile, Antonares drove in with 48 seconds left to keep PMMS in front, before forcing FEU to four turnovers in the remaining time.

Richard Escoto showed the way with 14 points for FEU, which is winless after two games. They earlier bowed the Manuel L. Quezon University, 67-64.