THE Perpetual Help Altas are looking to secure a crucial series advantage as they open their Best-of-Three NCAA Season 101 Final Four series against the Letran Knights on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Center in Cubao.
The Altas and Knights will clash in the first game at 11 a.m., followed by the second semifinal pairing featuring San Beda University and College of St. Benilde at 2:30 p.m.
Perpetual Altas head coach Olsen Racela stressed the need for intensified preparation, noting that their 63-56 loss to the Knights in the elimination round saw Letran without key players Jun Roque and Nath Montecillo.
“We need to double the preparation for this series opening,” Racela said during their Monday morning practice at the Home of the Altas gym in Las Piñas City. “When we played them in the elims, Jun Roque and Nath Montecillo were missing… [Roque] played 31 minutes in his last game against Arellano U. We expect him to play more against Perpetual, especially considering the familiarity with [our] Mark Omega, not to mention Titing Manalili, who is their best player.”
Racela emphasized the defensive challenge the Knights pose, citing their depth of talent.
“We have to be mindful against them. We especially need to work on our team defense. If you plan for Manalili, Deo Cuajao can explode, and then they still have Jimboy Estrada,” he added.
“We need to play our A game to beat them; we cannot afford to relax or have an off-night, both offensively and defensively,” Racela concluded.
Perpetual, which finished with a twice-to-beat edge and secured their Final Four berth by eliminating Jose Rizal University, 81-74, last Wednesday, is aiming for a long-awaited return to the Finals.
Their last championship series appearance was 21 years ago in Season 80 (2004), under coach Bai Cristobal, with players like Noy Javier, Kiel Misa, and Vladimir Joe. Gojo Cruz led the Altas in their playoff win with 23 points.
Letran, meanwhile, booked their semifinals ticket by overcoming a twice-to-win disadvantage against Arellano University, beating them 77-69 last Friday.
Altas team captain Patrick Sleat echoed the team’s high energy.
“This is a different level now. For my preparation, first, I got a fresh haircut, and second, we’ll give our best in this game,” Sleat said. “Please support us. We will give the best of our abilities to this game and are eager to get Game 1 and set a favorable tone for the series.”
