NCAA Season 100 is a special tournament for Philippine sports.
For the first time, all 10 member schools in the Grand Old League will be co-hosting the season.
And so every school is beefing up their respective rosters for the centennial tournament.
For University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, it all begins with getting a high-profile coach.
Through assistant team manager Scottie Thompson, the Altas were able to get former FEU Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela.
And Thompson is grateful that Racela accepted his offer.
“We’re happy na kinausap ako ng management to try to get Coach Olsen para sa team. I think so far, all good naman. Yung preparation namin, sana magtuloy tuloy,” said Thompson, who has been active in reviving the Altas program last season.
“I think confirmed na na ite-take na yung coaching job sa Perpetual.”
Thompson, though, had to first talk to current Altas head coach Myk Saguiguit if he was willing to slide down to an assisting role to Racela.
“We’re happy na on board siya and we’re happy din na si Coach Myk is still part of the team. Yung isa lang isa walang involvement po yung SMC dito. Just me and Coach Olsen yung nag-usap. Inutusan ako ng management ng Perpetual na i-try si Coach Olsen kasi Ginebra ako and to convince him to take the job,” he furthered.
“Masaya kami sa Perpetual.”
As a true Pereptualite, Saguiguit embraced the changes with open arms.
“I know na-affect din sila. Mahal na mahal nila si Coach Myk. Nag-usap naman kami ni Coach Myk and everything. Doing well, no,” shared Thompson, the NCAA Season 90 MVP.
“It’s about, gaya ng nag-usap kami ni Coach Myk, it’s about Perpetual. Perpetualite siya.”
Now, it’s all about keeping the Altas together.
One of the first orders of business is to keep Marcus Nitura in Las Pinas as he is attracting interest from numerous UAAP schools.
As team manager, Thompson will go all out in improving his program not just for the current Altas but also to attract recruits.
“Kung ano yung best sa Perpetual, nandiyan kami as alumni para tumulong. Sana sa paparating na next season, I know hindi naman agad-agad yung result, but stick kami sa process para sa Perpetual.”
