The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA players of multi-titled coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar now feel more determined to win a 13th crown with the announcement that the NCAA Season 95 resumes on March 16.
The defending champion Altas are now in training and conditioning for the Finals after earning an automatic ticket to the best-of-three series following a sweep of the elimination round.
Perpetual Help’s opponent would come from the stepladder survivor semifinals — Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College or College of St. Benilde.
The Altas completed a 9-0 sweep of the elimination round with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-18 win against the Letran Knights last Feb. 13.
The games were postponed indefinitely from there by the NCAA Management Committee due to the threat posed by the Novel Coronavirus or Covid-19.
The Altas of team owner Tony Tamayo still needs to wait a little longer, though, since there is still going to be a stepladder semifinal playoffs.
“Maganda na magbabalik na uli ang games ng March 16, pero kami maghihintay pa din kasi may two playdates pa ang men’s team and then may stepladder pa,” said Acaylar.
Acaylar and the Altas are aiming for another strong finish this season as they target title No. 13, which would equal the record number of titles of Letran.
Under Acaylar, the Altas have won the NCAA championship in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Acaylar is arguably the most dominant mentor of the decade by winning seven titles in 2011 to 2020.
“We do regular practice and tune-up games against other commercial teams and UAAP teams to stay focused,” Acaylar said.
Acaylar’s team is powered by team captain Ronniel ‘Buro’ Rosales, leading MVP contender Loiue Ramirez, Kennry Malinis, Hero Austria, ace setter EJ Casaña, liberos Jeric Atentar and Philip Pepito and back-ups JC Enarciso, Ridzuan Muhali, KC Andrade, JR Baggayan, Aljoe Sereño Awie Abdulla and Joshua Zereño.