After finishing the elimination round with an 8-1 card, the no. 1 Perpetual Junior Altas are now preparing for the Final Four against no. 4 Malayan School (Mapua) Red Robins on Sunday in season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
This is the first time since 2010 that the Las Piñas team has entered the semifinals, with a twice-to-beat advantage to boot.
The Junior Altas-Red Robins’ game will take place at noon, while Letran Squires (No. 2) and SSCR Staglets (No. 3) face off at 2:30 p.m.
The Altalettes of coach Joph Cleopas hope to enter the finals for the first time in 40 years since joining the league in 1984 and make a mark in the history of the University of Perpetual Help.
Cleopas will bank on his players, MVP contender Amiel Acido, who had averages of 17.6 points, 10 boards and 4.1 assists per game in the elims, JD Pagulayan (14 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.37 assists), Mark Gojo Cruz and center LeBron Daep, along with point guards Regie Ayon, Icee Callangan and Muntinlupa native Jamal Diaz.
Perpetual is expected to have an interesting semifinal battle against the team that handed the Junior Altas their lone loss in the season.
Coach Yong Garcia will fight with his players Lawrence Mangubat, Sean Salvador, Jonalance Masiglat, Nico Mulingtapang and Aki Valina of Mapua, which defeated the Junior Altas with a score of 72-71 on February 25, 2024.
On the other hand, no. 2 defending champion Letran Squires duels with the no. 4 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Staglets in other semis game at 2:30 p.m.
Coach Allen Ricardo of the Intramuros squad will lean on Moses Manalili, Jovel Baliling, Jolo Navarro, Daniel Padilla, George Diamante and Justine Hugo, while coach Juan Miguel Martin of Staglets will rely to Jhun Penaverde, Ruvic Danag, Kit Bonus, Rion Porcadas, Ben Jimenez and Angelo Herrera.
The Las Piñas City-based squad owned by Dr. Antonio Tamayo, first entered the Final Four in NCAA’s season 86 with the core of Gelo Alolino, Joseph Eriobu, Axel Inigo, center Joel Brito, Flash Sadiwa, 6’1” power forward Topher Negranza, Mark Bitoy, John Palisoc, Joville Garcia, Christian Pascual, Joseph Bitoon and Vince Alegre. The team, however, lost to no. 2 seed SSC-R, 76-87.