SENATOR Manny Pacquiao’s opened the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta Raja Cup on the same night veteran Aric del Rosario made a coaching return and weaved his old magic to lead the Parañaque Patriots to a 70-60 victory over the Caloocan Supremos at the Araneta Coliseum late Thursday night.
Del Rosario’s secret was plain and simple—get people who are no stranger to his system.
“‘Yung mga anak ko kinuha ko para hindi na ako kukuha ng alalay. ‘Yung tatlong anak ko ginawa kong assistant para may tumutulong sa akin. Kasi minsan, mahina na ‘yung tuhod natin eh,” said Del Rosario. “Kasi nga ‘yung mga yan may kumukuhang ibang team, tumawag sila sa akin, tinatanong kung mayroon pa silang lugar diyan. Kung gusto niyo rito, sama-sama tayo, kaya andiyan sila.”
Gab Dangangon, one of Del Rosario’s key players in Perpetual Help, fired 20 points on a steady 10-of-16 shooting from the field.
Jemal Vizacarra, one of Del Rosario’s old reliables when he was coach of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, contributed 14 markers, while ex-pro and former Perpetual star Harold Arboleda posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Patriots, who held the Supremos to only nine points in the fourth period.
The Patriots held the Supremos scoreless in the last 1:17 of the game to claim the league’s opening-day victory.
Lavish opening ceremonies featuring the parade of colors of all 10 participating teams kicked off the festivities and in between, 10 motorcycles and a brand new Suzuki Swift car were raffled off by Senator Pacquiao.
“Maraming gusting sumali, pero na-set up na kasi. Gawa na ‘yung program. Susunod na lang sila. Maraming gusto, tingin ko aabot pa ‘yan ng 20 teams,” said Pacquiao. “Kapag dumami ‘yan, magiging parang NBA style na siya. ‘Yung NBA may East and West, sa atin naman, South and North.”
Games Saturday
(Muntinlupa Gym)
7 p.m. ñ Batangas vs Valenzuela
9 p.m. ñ Navotas vs Muntinlupa