Five members of the Perpetual Junior Altas, who recently won the NCAA Season 100 championship, have committed to stay at the home and play for the school’s college team starting next season.
Team manager and University of Perpetual Help Vice President for Sports Anton Tamayo revealed that reigning Most Improved Player awardee Jericho Cristino, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, TJ Tabbuan and Kelsey Baldoria have committed to join the Altas’ senior basketball team, now led by coach Olsen Racela.
The five were instrumental in Perpetual Help claiming its first juniors’ basketball title for the first time in the school’s 41-year history in the league.
Season and Finals’ MVP LeBron James Daep and Mythical Five member Jan Roluna, on the other hand, were mum on their next plans for now, saying they want to enjoy the moment first and be with their families in the Holy Week by returning to their provinces in Bicol and Nasipit, Agusan del Sur, respectively.
Aries Borja, another member of the champion team, is undecided.
Meanwhile, Batang Gilas Kurt Velasquez, Louie Rosales, Jim Corpuz, Keanne Zanoria, Lance Nitura, Kurt Patalinhug, Hanz Candido and Kakai Zamoras will remain with the team in their last playing year.
The Junior Altas clinched the championship against La Salle Greenhills in a winner-take-all finals last April 15, defeating coach Ren Ren Ritualo’s players, 101-67.
