THE Perpetual Help Altas are preparing for the upcoming National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101, which kicks off on October 1, with head coach Olsen Racela assembling a 20-man pool, from which he will select the final 18-man lineup.
Led by captain John Cedrick Abis, who was recently selected the 23rd overall pick in the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft, the squad features a mix of veteran talent, promising newcomers, and seasoned transferees, signalling a renewed push for a Final Four berth after finishing 7th last season.
The team’s roster includes three graduating players—Abis, John Paul Boral, and Jearico Nuñez—along with seniors Shawn Orgo and Angelo Gelsano, and sophomores Mark Derick Gojo Cruz and Emman Pizarro.
The Junior Altas have also been bolstered by a strong group of eligible transferees, who have completed their residency, including Patrick Sleat and Kevin Guibao from FEU, LA Casinillo from NU, JM Talabut, Josh Alcantara, and Allen Maglupay from UE, and brothers Kenji Duremdez and Kylle Magdangal from UST. Additionally, five rookies from the defending champion Junior Altas—Aries Borja, JD Pagulayan, Jan Roluna, Jericho Cristino, and Kelsey Baldoria—are immediately eligible to play.
“The five rookies have shown good performance in practice and in their games. I see a bright future for the team in our program,” said Racela.
To build chemistry, the Altas have been participating in various invitational tournaments like the FilOil pre-season cup, which Racela says is “very crucial for us.”
He added, “It is also like team building for us. In the past, we were not invited to these leagues, so more games together is better for us. That is our goal. I don’t want to pick the team early.”
Racela plans to use these games to finalize his 18-man roster by experimenting with different rotations and seeing how players perform under pressure.
“My aim here is to see their rotation. I’m still experimenting; at the same time, I see their game,” he stated.
The Altas, under team manager Anton Tamayo, will begin their campaign on October 3 against the San Sebastian College Stags.
The Altas are hoping to improve on their 7-11 record from last season and make a strong run for the Final Four under the new format.
