Back-to-back champion Perpetual Altas Spikers are now back in hard training in preparation for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 men’s volleyball tournament, which unfurls on Jan. 6, 2020.
The grandslam-seeking Altas of multi-titled coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar personally supervised the team’s daily training after their stint at the Spiker’s Turf, where they ended up fourth place after sweeping the entire Pool C group, including a four-set triumph against perennial contender PLDT in the eliminations, before squeaking past Philippine Navy in the quarterfinals.
“We will go all out to defend our crown on Season 95,” said coach Acaylar.
Back-to-Back NCAA MVP Joebert Almodiel hopes the Spikers’ Turf outing carries over to the NCAA with the help of two new recruits — Hero Austria from five-peat champions Junior Altas and Kennry Malinis from Bogo, Cebu, as they proved to be consistent forces in both offense and defense during the pre-season tournament.
The Altas Team has been the most dominant volleyball team in the league this decade after winning seven championships in nine years from 2010 to 2019.
The Las Pinas City-based setters are also the second winningest team in the league with 12 overall titles behind Letran Knights with 13 crowns.
The Acaylar-mentored Altas spikers were also title holders of the 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 season.
Comprising the team are holdovers Ronniel Rosales and Jeric Atentar, who will be suiting up for their last playing year, setters EJ Casaña and JC Enarciso, Team Captain Ridzuan Muhali, Gilbert Balmores, Joederick Balmores, sophomore middle blocker Loiue Ramirez, John Rick Baggayan, Aljoe Sereño, Awie Abdulla and KC Andrade.
Reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Joebert Almodiel, a 2nd year, BPED Major in PE, believes that their experience in the Spikers’ Turf will make them stronger for their “three-peat” bid in the oldest collegiate league.