University of Perpetual Help’s preparation will be put to an ultimate test when it kicks off its campaign against reigning champion Letran College in Season 102 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) juniors basketball tournament next week at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.

Junior Altas head coach Joph Cleopas said he will parade a solid core of nine off-season recruits and nine holdovers as they seek to bounce back from a sixth-place finish with a 6-7 record last season.

Skipper Louie Rosales will be at the helm together with graduating veterans Kurt Patalinghug and Cacai Zamoras as well as holdovers Francis Rosales, Lord Dulanas, Sam Villaruel, Arkin Cristobal, Vandolf Urdaneta and John Restificar.

Also prepared to make an impact are prized recruits Sizco Roquid, the Palarong Pambansa standout who made an impact for the University of the East Junior Warriors in the previous season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines together with Daniel Okeowo, Keith Sabuco, Bryna Orca Jr., Gabe Tan, Raymark Madaya, Derek Belan, and 6-foot-5 Max Maurice from the United Kingdom.

The Junior Altas’ dismal performance in Season 101 is a major blow considering that they ruled Season 101 when the group of Lebron Jhames Daep, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan and Jan Roluna beat the La Salle Green Hills squad bannered by Guillan Quines, Gian Gomez and Brandon Yutuc in a dramatic finale to secure their first title in 40 years.