Five players from University of Perpetual Help System Dalta's high school championship team are moving up to the senior squad starting on Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's basketball tournament.
Perpetual vice president for sports and team manager Anton Tamayo confirmed that JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, TJ Tabbuan, Kelsey Baldoria, and NCAA Season 100 Most Improved Player Jericho Cristino have committed to join the Altas under head coach Olsen Racela.
These five players were instrumental in Perpetual claiming its first juniors basketball title in the country's oldest league in its 41-year history.
The Junior Altas are coming off a 101-67 Game 3 win over La Salle Green Hills in the finals last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Season 100 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Lebron Jhames Daep and Mythical Team member Jan Roluna opted to not say their collegiate plans as they wish to spend time with their families for the Holy Week by returning to their provinces in Bicol and Nasipit, Agusan del Sur, respectively.
Aries Borja remains undecided.
Meanwhile, Batang Gilas member Kurt Velasquez, Louie Rosales, Jim Corpuz, Keanne Zanoria, Lance Nitura, Kurt Patalinhug, Hanz Candido and Kakai Zamoras will remain with Perpetual for their last playing year.
The eight aforementioned players played for the Junior Altas for three years and were part of the Season 99 runner-up squad along with MVP Amiel Acido, now playing for the University of Santo Tomas, and Mark Gojo Cruz, who currently plays for Perpetual.