THE Perpetual Help Altas Spikers are determined to book a return flight to the Final Four when they compete in Season 101 NCAA men’s volleyball tournament later this month.
Photograph courtesy of PERPETUAL
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University of Perpetual Help System Dalta refused to slow down as it trained during the holiday season in preparation for its title chase in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s volleyball tournament later this month.
Altas Spikers head coach Macy Cariño said they are working doubly hard as they aim to make it to the Final Four after finishing sixth last season — the first time they bombed out of the semifinals in two decades of competing in the country’s oldest collegiate league.
Cariño said they focused not just on their game plan but also on other aspects of the game, proving how serious they are in bringing back the glory to the team backed by team manager Anton Tamayo
“My preparation is to condition my players as a complete package that includes strength and conditioning, agility, technique, focus, and mind-setting. Also, we conditioned ourselves on making it to the Final Four first,” Cariño said.
“We resumed on 26 December and had a mini training camp from 28 to 30 December in a place in Laiya that is owned by my close friend. We returned on the 30th in the afternoon and had our last training of the year on the 31st. We didn’t have any New Year break because most of these players are from the province so they went home during Christmas break.”
Cariño, a protege of the late Altas coach Sammy Acaylar, said he will be parading 12 rookies bannered by Justin Favila, Zaine Mohammad, Charles Pallasa, Arky Corpuz, Mike Julaton, Nash Abenojar, Khian Andres, Marc Tangon, Ivan Asonio, Jester Bornel, James Sarmiento and Arturo Albon.
He said having 12 rookies on the team is a good investment for the future.
“I’m gambling with 12 rookies now so I can invest in our future,” Cariño added.
On the same note, the preparation of the Lady Altas of coach Sandy Rieta is also in full swing with training and friendly matches headed by Charise Enrico and top gun Shaila Omipon.
The Lady Altas are also hoping to make it to the Final Four, which they also missed last year after finishing fifth in the standings with a 9-9 win-loss record.
“I gave them a very short vacation so they can be with their families in the province. Then, we’re back to training because we might lose our focus and conditioning if we have a very long break.”
