MANILA, Philippines - The University of Perpetual Help Altas are ready to rumble even without an import for the National Collegiate Athletics Association Season 90 which unfurls Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Altas, who finished with 10-8 win-loss card last year but lost to four-peat champion San Beda in the Final Four, will rely on all-Filipino players bannered by Juneric Baloria, skipper Harold Miguel Arboleda, Earl Scottie Thompson and Justine Alano.
Coach Aric del Rosario, however, still expects his team to compete on a high level.
“We have no import this year, unlike the other teams. The only problem is we don’t have that big man out in the court. It will be difficult, but there is still a chance for us to winâ€, Del Rosario said.
The Las Piñas City based squad also hopes to draw big games from rookies Gabriel Dagangon from Davao City, Ric Gallardo, Melvin Rodriguez and Flash Sadiwa.
Former import Nousa Omorogbe of Nigeria is now with the coaching staff after playing out his final year last season.
But Alano, Arboleda and Baloria are tipped to hold their own against the top players of the other leading teams owing to their experience in PBA D-League. Also expected to figure prominently for the team is Digos City native Earl Scottie Thompson, Season 88 Mythical 5 member and most improved player.
The other members of the team are Nestor Bantayan Jr., Kervin Lucente, Kevin Oliveria, Mark Bitoy, Gerald Dizon, JG Ylagan, Joel Jolangcob and Anton Tamayo.
The Tamayo-owned squad showed impressive performance in the pre-season games of the Flying V Filoil tournament, defeating the UE Red Warriors (83-78) and UAAP champion La Salle (98-95). The Altas also humbled the UST Growling Tigers (65-56) to capture the Fr. Martin Summer Cup crown.