Pre-season favorite Perpetual Help will be tested on Monday against Mapua-Malayan School in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Season 100 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
Gametime is 10 a.m.
After last year’s bridesmaid finish, the Perpetual Junior Altas of coach Joph Cleopas resume their quest for a first title, with nine holdovers responsible for the team’s first finals’ appearance last season since joining the league in 1985.
Cleopas will lean on graduating player Lebron Jhames Daep, along with Jan Roluna, Aries Borja, Kelsey Baldoria, Icee Callangan, JD Pagulayan, Jericho Cristino, TJ Tabbuan and Lance Nitura.
The Las Piñas city-based school hired six rookies to replace those who graduated, namely Amiel Acido, who is now with the University of Santo Tomas, JP Panelo, who is with with the Pirates, and Regie Ayon.
Rookie Kurt Velasquez and Louie Rosales are from the Batang Gilas, Felix Corpuz and Hanz Llupar came from Cebu, Kurt Patalinghug is from Lapu-Lapu City, while Renzo Zanoria is from Cebu City, all of whom are expected to assist the veterans of the Junior Altas.
“We are focused and determined to win, one game at a time,” said Cleopas, noting that the teams to beat this season are Letran, Mapua, San Beda University and Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Newly installed Squires’ head coach Willie Miller will parade his new recruits Dwyne Miranda from Far Eastern University and Daryl Valdeavilla from University of the Philippines-Integrated School.
Meanwhile, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates will meet back-to-back champion Letran at 8 a.m.
In other games, Arellano University and Jose Rizal University clash at 12 noon, La Salle-Greenhills takes on San Sebastian College at 2 p.m. and San Beda battles EAC at 4 p.m.
