THE defending champions Perpetual Help Junior Altas are gearing up for the start of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 on October 1, 2025.
After making history with their first-ever championship in Season 100 this past April, the team is focused on a repeat performance.
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The team, led by head coach Joph Cleopas, is in the middle of intense training.
“We need to win every practice and game,” Cleopas said during a recent session. “I believe in the kids, they give their best every day. I can’t promise the result will come, but we will take it one game at a time,” Cleopas said.
The coach highlighted the shortened preparation period for this season, which returns to the previous format where the junior and senior divisions play simultaneously. This gives the team a much shorter five-month turnaround compared to the previous format, which offered a full year of buildup.
“All the teams are watching us, including San Beda, La Salle Greenhills, Letran and Mapua,” Cleopas noted, acknowledging the increased pressure.
The team will take on the San Sebastian Staglets in their first game on October 3.
The team’s core remains strong, with seven key players from the championship squad returning, namely Louie Rosales, Kurt Velasquez, Lance Nitura, Jim Corpuz, Keanne Zanoria, Ezekiel Zamoras, Hanz Candido, and Kurt Patalinghug. They are joined by new recruits as they continue to fine-tune their strategy.
The Junior Altas are placed in Group A this season, alongside Mapua, Lyceum of the Philippines University, San Sebastian College – Recoletos, and Arellano University.
The Junior Altas’ championship in April 2025 was a landmark moment for the school, marking their first-ever juniors basketball crown in 40 years of being in the league. They defeated La Salle Greenhills in Game 3 of the finals with a commanding 101-67 victory.
Lebron Jhames Daep, now with the La Salle Green Archers, was named Season and Finals MVP.
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