The defending champion Perpetual Help Junior Altas will parade their 12 newbies and 6 holdovers in the opening of the NCAA Season 101 on October 1 at the Araneta Colisuem in Cubao, QC.
Coach Joph Cleopas is optimistic that his 18-man lineup will fight to defend the crown they won for the first time since they joined the tournament in 1985.
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Cleopas will rely on holdovers GenTri pride Loiue Rosales, team captain Lance Nitura, Jim Corpuz, Renzo Zanoria, Ezekiel Zamoras, Kurt Patalinhug and Kurt Velasquez.
He is also confident that Batang Gilas standouts Rayven Restificar, Brent Rosales and Jones Ferrer, Hanz Llupar, Jude Binagatan, Daniel Dulanas CeeJay Catillejo, Manu Ignacio, Arkin Cristobal, Emmanuel Villaruel and Vandolf Urdaneta can ably fill up the vacuum left off by Season 100 MVP LeBron Jhames Daep, who is now with La Salle, Icee Callangan, who is with Mapua, and JD Pagulayan, Jan Roluna, Aries Borja, Jericho Cristino, Kelsey Baldoria and TJ Tabbuan, who have moved on to Perpetual’s senior team.
The team’s strength will be tested when it faces the San Sebastian College on October 3 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Las Pinas City-based Junior Altas captured their first-ever NCAA championship in Game 3 of the Finals against La Salle Greenhills with a score of 101-67.
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