UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA was the first team in the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) to clinch a spot in the crossover quarterfinals all thanks to its consistent showing in all of its games so far.
The NCAA Season 99 juniors finalists, who came into the league sans former Junior Altas stars Amiel Acido and Mark Gojo Cruz, were looking to rediscover their form as they prepare for another campaign in the centennial season of their mother league.
They have, since then, romped all of their five opponents so far by a winning margin of 26.6 points en route to entering the playoffs, but head coach Jeoph Cleopas admitted that he did not anticipate his boys to be in peak form as early as now with the departure of their two main guns in Acido and Gojo Cruz.
“Mixed emotions eh. We really didn’t expect this run, na magiging 5–0 kami,” said Cleophas of his team which leads Group A of the NGBL that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.
Stepping up for the Las Piñas cagers are versatile shooting guard Jan Roluna who is averaging 14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, athletic wingmen Jan Pagulayan who produces 12.2 markers, 2.8 boards, and 2.6 dimes, and TJ Tabbuan who norms 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, along with talented stretch big man Lebron Jhames Daep’s 10.8 markers, 4.6 boards, and 1.6 steals.
However, Cleopas emphasized that these numbers do not paint the whole story for the Junior Altas. It is all about the balanced attack that they have been believing in ever since they turned their program around and built a winning culture.
“Actually, not them lang naman eh. I believe na it’s a collective effort. It just so happened na medyo angat yung iba. Pero anytime in the game, I also expect the others to step up rin,” he said.
“I told them also na: ‘Don’t think about your numbers and your shots. Just think about your defense, and the offense will come.‘“ Cleopas continued.
