Lim aims to move Altas out of NCAA cellar

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim is seeking to improve on the Altas’ forgettable performance on his coaching return in the 94th NCAA senior basketball tournament unfurling on July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Lim, who started as head of the Las Pinas-based school’s basketball program before taking over from Nosa Omorogbe as coach in January, said they’re initial aim is to improve on its 4-14 (win-loss) record last year when the Altas wound up at ninth out of 10 teams.

“We’re in a rebuilding process because we lost a lot of players so it will already be an accomplishment if we could improve on our effort last year,” said Lim, who won championships when he was still with the San Beda Lions a decade ago.

Perpetual Help will parade a very young lineup after losing practically most of its players, including starters JG Ylagan and Gab Dagangon, who already graduated, and Kieth Llowel Pido, who underwent ankle surgery that will keep him out the whole of the season.

The only remaining players from last year were Prince Eze, AJ Coronel, Anton Tamayo and Rome Mangalino.

Filling the vacuum were transferees Ton Ton Peralta from Cagayan de Oro, Kim Aurin of St. Francis, Jerome Pasia of PMMS, Carl Soriano, Edgar Charcos of University of the East and Kit Jimenez of Far Eastern University.

The Altas also recruited Luke Sese (San Beda), Jielo Razon (Perpetual) and Jasper Cuevas (Perpetual) straight from high school.

“Our target is next year and two years from now because we have several of my recruits coming in,” said Lim.

“While we have modest expectations, we will still give it our best to make it to the Final Four,” he added.