Altas raring to pull off surprises

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Olsen Racela brims with excitement as he’s about to start his journey with the Perpetual Help Altas in the NCAA Season 100 that unwraps Sept. 7 at the MOA Arena.

Appointed at the helm of a rebuilding Altas team in January, Racela said hopes are high for his wards to be competitive and give the fancied NCAA bets a run for their own money.

Ten rookies will join eight holdovers in the Perpetual squad looking forward to pull off surprises in the centennial season of the country’s oldest collegiate league to be hosted by Lyceum of the Philippines University.

“I am very conservative because I’ll take it one game at a time, compete in every possession, keep up with the opponent, and hopefully steal a win in every game,” said Racela, an assistant for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA and former mentor of Far Eastern U in the UAAP.

“I admit that we are not on the list of teams to beat this season, and some experts say we are not too strong this season, but that’s not a reason to not be competitive,” he also said.

Mark Gojo Cruz, Bryan Manuel, Axl Jon Manuel, Emman Pizarro, Markkian Danag, Axle Rose Javier, Justin Thompson, Bryle Mascariñas, Iñigo Montemayor and Ralph Cauguiran are the neophyte but fearless charges of Racela.

Holdovers are skipper Christian Pagaran, Nathaniel Sevilla, John Cedrick Abis, Jearico Nuñez, John Paul Boral, Gelo Gelsano, Shawn Orgo and Richard Movida as Perpetual deals with the departure of Jielo Razon, Jasper Cuevas and Joey Barcuma.

“Hopefully, they gain the experience early, mature in every game and help the team this season and in the seasons to come” said Racela.

Young, inexeperienced and all, the Altas are raring to fight, also with guidance from deputy mentor Richard del Rosario and Perpetual legend Scottie Thompson, who’s serving as assistant team manager.

The Las Piñas-based dribblers will troop into the NCAA wars with unwavering support from a bevy of backers led by F2 Logistics, Fins and Claws as well as World Balance.

F2 also committed support the juniors and women’s volleyball programs of Perpetual. Signing the agreement are F2 CEO Efren Uy and Perpetual team manager Anton Tamayo.