UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help celebrated its first NCAA Junior Basketball title with a bonfire party on Tuesday at the Football Field of the school’s Las Piñas City campus.
The title was the Junior Altas’ first since joining the league in 1984, ending a 41-year drought after defeating La Salle Greenhills in Game 3 of the Finals on April 15 via a 101-67 victory.
The surroundings of the Home of the Altas were filled with the color maroon as the players and coaches presented to the Perpetual Help community their elegant #NCAASeason100 trophy, plus three other pre-season plums from 2024 NGBL (Next Generation Basketball League), Under Armour Curry 12 Invitational Championship and Season 2 of Junior MPBL U18.
Thousands of students, alumni, school officials and administrators participated in the bonfire revelry, in conjunction with the celebration of the school’s 50th foundation anniversary this year, spearheaded by UPH chairman Dr. Antonio Tamayo.
Season and Finals’ MVP LeBron Jhames Daep, Mythical 5 member Jan Roluna, Most Improved Player Jericho Cristino, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, Kelsey Baldoria, Aries Borja, TJ Tabbuan and Jacob Dela Cruz were introduced one by one during the party, together with graduating players and holdovers for Season 101 in Louie Rosales, Jim Corpuz, Kurt Velasquez, Keanne Zanoria, Ezekiel Zamoras, Ryan Llupar and Lance Nitura.
“You made history by winning the first championship trophy in NCAA Junior Basketball,” Dr. Tamayo told the players. “We watch you with heart inside the court, game after game and your dedication in every game, we know your journey was not easy, and we thank you all for the honor you brought to Perpetual, long live and congratulations to you.”
Perpetual Help Medical Center (PHMC) president Richard Tamayo added: “Let us recognize the former and late Junior Altas head coach Mauro Tamayo, I know that even though coach Mao is in the afterlife, he is still very happy with the achievement that the Altalettes, now, the Junior Altas, have finally become champions. I know the late coach Sammy Acaylar, who gave Perpetual many honors in the field of volleyball (is also proud).”
