As the oldest member school in the NCAA to never win a basketball championship in either the juniors or seniors division, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA might finally have their best chance in Season 99.
Currently tied for the top spot at a 6-1 win-loss card, the Junior Altas are on the verge of reaching a place where few Perpetual teams have gone before.
In the Final Four era, only the seniors’ squad reached the finals back in Season 80, nearly 20 years ago.
With a lot on the line, Season 98 Mythical Team member Amiel Acido hopes to finally bring glory back to Las Piñas.
After mulling decisions to pursue opportunities in the United States, the 6-foot-3 senior from Antipolo chose to stay one more year for Perpetual.
Coming off his monster triple-double outing against JRU, the Junior Altas’ team captain strongly feels that they have the golden opportunity to strike gold.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin ‘tong season na to. Marami na po talaga kaming sinakripisyo,” Acido said.
Moreover, when asked about the prospect of bagging individual plums, and the highly-coveted Most Valuable Player award, Acido shrugged them off, with his eyes only set on bringing Perpetual back to the promised land.
“Actually, wala po sa isip ko. Pag nasa court po ako, iniisip ko lang talaga yung pinapagawa po samin ng coaches, magtrabaho lang, always give my 100-percent nga para sa team at para sa sarili,” said the blue-chip prospect.
“Yung mga award tulad ng Mythical Five parang bonus lang po yun, parang reward na lang sa tinrabaho ko.”
Additionally, the forward credits first-year head coach Joph Cleopas for turning their program around in such a short span.
“Simula pa lang po ng pagpasok ni Coach Joph, talagang nagtrabaho na po kami, nagtraining na kami araw-araw. Itong results ay outcome ng pinaghirapan namin, so thankful din ako kay coach Joph kasi binibigay niya na po lahat sa players, ta-trabahuin na lang.”
As they face Season 98 champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday, the Junior Altas will have the opportunity to show whether or not they truly have what it takes to compete for the top prize in the NCAA.
