National Collegiate Athletic Association and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta president Anthony Tamayo of University shows optimism to the school’s campaign not just in basketball, but also in other sports when Season 94 of the NCAA officially unfolds on July 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“I have faith that we will do good this season in many fronts, we have high expectations,” said Tamayo, who was also tasked the Season 94 hosting this year.
Tamayo is hoping they could replicate the Las Pinas-based school’s performance in the 1996 and 1997 seasons when they last reigned as general champions.
Interestingly, it was the same year Perpetual Help hosted the league.
Tamayo’s confidence can be attributed to the recent strong performances of their track and field team in national meets, the continuous excellence of its volleyball program as well as the acquisitions of new coaches in football and basketball.
Francis Medina and Ernie Calipay made the school proud by taking home a gold medal apiece in last week’s Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships in Ilagan City, Isabela with the former reigning supreme in the men’s 400m hurdles and the latter in the junior high jump.
The Altas also made their presence felt in volleyball where they ruled the men’s and juniors’ divisions while pocketing most of the individual awards while remaining a title contender in the women’s section, thanks to the arrival of multi-titled coach Macky Carino.
Tamayo also tapped Frankie Lim, who steered the San Beda Lions to several NCAA titles a decade back, to handle the men’s basketball team and former Azkals star Chieffy Caligdong to take the reins in their football program.
“We want coaches who have a culture of winning and coaches Frankie Lim and Chieffy Caligdong both embody them and we want it to translate to championships if not now, in the near future,” said Tamayo.
Meanwhile, Tamayo he is also excited to grace the Season 94 inaugurals where he will be guest speaker.
“We have a special production number prepared for everyone,” he said.