Altas face 3 foes in netfest opener

MANILA, Philippines - University of Perpetual Help System Dalta opens its ambitious title campaign as it plays three teams on Saturday at the start of the 87th NCAA table tennis tournament at the Mapua Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

The Altas are scheduled to face the Mapua Cardinals on table five at 8:30 a.m., the Letran Knights on table two at 10 a.m., the San Sebastian Stags on table six at 2 p.m. hoping to come up with a strong start.

“Our goal is to win the championship trophy this 87th NCAA season,” said Perpetual Help coach Joselito Almazan, who has been coaching the Las Piñas-based netters for 12 seasons now.

“But we’re focused on training hard first and we’ve been competing in tournaments outside that should make us really prepared in this coming NCAA event,” he added.

The 34-year-old Almazan, in fact, said his team made heads turn when the Altas finished a strong third in last month’s Eastern Cup Table Tennis championships in Quezon City behind defending NCAA champion San Beda and Far Eastern U.

“Last month we’ve finished third in the Eastern Cup, a tournament participated in by all UAAP and NCAA schools,” he said.

Skippered by Argel Carandang and composed of Robert Rosales, Denis Picondo, Vittorio Leocadio, Kennth Igon and Adrian Remo, the Altas are also looking to duplicate their strong showing when under Almazan they came through a three-peat feat from 1998 to 2000.

And Perpetual is all behind its team’s ambitious title campaign.

“We’re all behind our teams not just table tennis but other sports as well,” said league president Anthony Tamayo, son of Perpetual owner Col./Dr. Antonio Tamayo.