With only one game left to play in the elimination round, lady luck must work overtime for the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in their postseason aspirations.
Despite improving to a 9-8 win-loss record after coming out victorious against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 86-80, the Altas will still need to wait on the teams above them for their final fate.
In order for Perpetual to at least have a chance in making the semifinals of Season 99, two teams from the pack of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, San Beda University, and Jose Rizal University must drop their remaining games.
However, regardless of how things will pan out in the following days, Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit stays optimistic and looks forward to their final second round game against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
“At least we're still alive and kicking. Prayers up na lang kung ano mangyayari sa season na ito. We're just going to continue to prepare heading into our next game which is Baste,” confessed Saguiguit.
(At least we're still alive and kicking. Prayers up to whatever may happen this season. We're just going to continue to prepare heading in to our next game against San Sebastian.)
Also touching upon their game against the Generals, the Altas’ head tactician lauded his troops for redeeming themselves after their first round loss to EAC.
“Ang pre-game [talk] ko sa kanila ay dapat bumawi kami sa EAC kasi sila 'yung nagbigay ng first loss namin sa first round eh. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, pabawi naman ako, palambing naman ako. Trabahuhin natin nang maigi. I just need this game against EAC and luckily, nag-respond naman 'yung mga players namin,” said Saguiguit.
(My pregame talk was to avenge our loss against EAC because they gave our first loss in the first round. I told them, maybe you can do that for me. Let's work this out. I just need this game against EAC and luckily, they responded.)
One of the players who stepped up against EAC was veteran guard Jielo Razon, leading his team with 22 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals.
When asked about his motivation coming into the contest, the six-foot guard focused on the fact that he only has a couple of games left in his collegiate career.
“Last two games ko na sa elimination round kasi hindi ko na ito mababalikan as a last year player. Kaya focus ko talaga is maka-give back sa Perpetual community, sa Tamayo family, at dine-dedicate ko sa kanila ang mga remaining games ko kasi sobrang laking tulong na binigay nila sa katulad ko na binigyan nilang opportunity na makalaro sa NCAA.” proclaimed Razon.
(These are my last two games in the elimination round and I cannot return to this since this is my last playing year. My focus is to give back to the Perpetual community, Tamayo family, and I dedicate my remaining games to them since they really have a big part in what they gave to me, that they gave me the opportunity to play in the NCAA.)
Saguiguit, Razon, and the rest of the Altas will play their last elimination round game of the season versus San Sebastian on Tuesday, November 21.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
