UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta gets a chance to test its mettle before NCAA Season 101 when it battles three other teams in the first Gov. Luigi Villafuerte Invitational Cup basketball championships in Pili, Camarines Sur on March 31-April 4.

Now handled by veteran coach Olsen Racela, the Altas are looking to make a difference in the week-long competiton that will also feature the Kuala Lumpur Hornbills of Malaysia, NAASCU champion St. Clare College and host Camarines Sur Express.

The 54-year-old Racela is also an assistant coach for Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Leading the charge for the Las Piñas-based team are Mark Gojo Cruz, Jearico Nunez, Gelo Gelsano and JP Boral and transferees Kenji Duremdes, Kylle Magdangal and Patrick Sleat.

Duremdes, son of PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes, and Magdangal played for he UST Tigers, while Sleat saw action for the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP.

The other members of the team are Jon Abis, Eman Pizarro, JM Tulabut, Allen Maglupay, Josh Alcantara, Axl John Manuel, LA Cansanillo and Kevin Guibao.

Former FE-Diliman coach Allan Albano will be the assistant coach.

Last year, Perpetual Help finished with a 7-11 win-loss record in a tie for eighth place with Arellano University.

In 2023, the Altas wound up fifth.

The last time the Altas reached the semis of the NCAA was in 2021 when they lost to Letran.

The Gov. Villafuerte Cup is organized by the Armstrong Philippines, headed by Managing Director Joven Ace Castillo, events specialist Maria Theresa Magno and tournament director Norman Gomez.

The complete schedule:

March 31 — University of Perpetual Help vs. St.Clare College; KL Hornbills vs. Cam Sur Express.
April 1 — KL Hornbills vs. Perpetual Help; St. Clare College vs.Cam Sur Express.
April 2 — KL Hornbills vs. St. Clare College; Perpetual Help vs. CamSur Express.
April 3 — Crossover semis: No. 1 vs.No. 4; No. 2 vs. No. 3.
April 4 — Battle for third place; Championship game.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya