LAS PIN̈AS CITY — The Altas of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta are all set to face the challenge as the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament begins on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Coming off an impressive pre-season showing at the PinoyLiga Collegiate Cup and the Roxas City Invitational Basketball, the Altas will take on last year finalist Letran Knights at 4 p.m. on Sunday to open their Season 102 campaign
Perpetual Help eked out a 64-63 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College to capture the PinoyLiga title as part of the team’s preparation for the coming season. The Antonio Tamayo-owned team, however, settled for a third place finish in Roxas City.
Altas head coach Olsen Racela has given the team’s reins to Mark Gojo Cruz and three graduating seniors — Shawn Orgo, Gelo Gelsano and JM Tulabot — to lead the team’s campaign this season.
Racela, on his thrid year as coach of the Altas, aims to go all the way this year after a heart-breaking semifinal exit last season.
Aside from his trusted veterans, Racela can also lean on the five sophomores and the five rookies in the Altas roster.
"First, we need to replace the roles of Patrick Sleat, John Abis, Jericho Nun̈ez and JP Boral, who played last year and have already finished their playing years. We need to replace them with players who are willing to step up. We have a lot of players who are willing to step up, but they lack experience," said Racela during practice at the Home of the Altas gym in Las Pinas on Monday.
He said he will give Gojo Cruz a much bigger role this season.
"Every year, Gojo Cruz needs to have a bigger role. Although this is just his third year, he really needs to improve well. That's how college basketball is, you need to improve every year," Racela said.
"We expect him to really provide leadership and experience. Aside from giving his all, we know that he is really skilled in all aspects of the game," he added.
Racela said he will also unleash sophomores Ray Allen Maglupay, LA Casinillo, JD Pagulayan, Jan Roluna, Jericho Cristino and 6-foot-7 center Aries Borja, who he expects to have a coming out party this year.
The team’s five rookies are Jim Corpuz, Kurt Velasques, Justin Thompson, Cedrick De Guzman and 18 year old Isaac Yuhico from Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, California, U.S.A.
