Reigning champion University of Perpetual Help System Dalta will be favored when the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 volleyball tournament unfurls on 7 April at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Altas head coach Sammy Acaylar admitted that they are pressured to win, especially since other teams are determined to knock the crown off their heads.
The Altas will be marching with a powerhouse unit led by reigning Most Valuable Player (mvp) Louie Ramirez, Michael Medalla, KC Andrade, Jeff Marapoc, JC Enarciso and Philip Pepito.
They will be joined by rookies Klint Mateo, Dexter Arrozado, John Castil, Christian Taytayon and James Pascua. Rounding out the roster are John Lituania, Kirth Rosos, Kobe Tabuga, Arianne Teodoro and Sean Codeniera.
“To tell you the truth, it’s really hard to prepare because we are the defending champions, all eyes are on us. Aside from that, we have an intact roster with only Joshua Zareño leaving,” said Acaylar, the veteran tactician who was part of the national women’s squad that won the gold medal in the 1993 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
“So far, we had a very good preseason. Our tune-up games were mostly alignment and development of their mental toughness. Their mental game is something we have to work on because they tend to lose their focus if their opponents make an early run.”
Perpetual has been one of the most successful teams in the country’s oldest collegiate league.
In fact, they won four straight titles from 2010 to 2014 to match the 13 crowns of Letran College.
Last year, the Altas emerged victorious after defeating San Beda University in a best-of-three championship series.
Meanwhile, the Lady Altas of coach Sandy Rieta are seeking a good start of the season following a strong preseason buildup.
The Lady Altas, who finished third last year, will also parade an intact lineup of Season 98 MVP Mary Rhose Dapol and Best Libero Marian Andal together with skipper Razel Aldea, Bebang Ocado, Krisha Cordero, Winnie Bedaña, Charisse Enrico, Shaila Omipon and setter Jhasmine Sapin.
The Dr. Antonio Tamayo-owned Lady Altas will be marching oozing with confidence after ruling the 1st Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association last December while carrying the colors of the Bacoor Strikers Lady Altas.
