The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA may have claimed some measure of revenge against their former tormentor, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, but the Junior Altas aren’t basking in it just yet.
They know the journey is far from over.
Jan Roluna, who exploded for a double-double effort during their latest clash with the Squires, stressed they remain laser-focused on what their real goal is: a championship.
"Opo meron po, malaki. Sobra," Roluna said on Monday when asked if exacting revenge on the Squires was one of their motivations.
"Before ng game namin, iniisip namin ‘yung sakit na naramdaman namin dati para gawin naming fuel sa larong ito."
Roluna was part of the Perpetual team that succumbed to Letran during the NCAA Season 99 finals, where the Las Piñas crew managed to drag the Squires to a deciding Game Three but ultimately bowed to the now two-time defending champions.
The Junior ALTAs then used the one-year break to prepare for a redemption tour.
Even with reigning MVP Amiel Acido and Mythical Five member Mark Gojo Cruz no longer around, Perpetual is still looking like a legit title contender. They only have one loss so far in Season 100 to clinch the top spot anew with a near-perfect 8-1 card.
They ended the elimination round on a high note by dominating the Squires, 85-70, behind Roluna and the likes of MVP frontrunner Lebron Jhames Daep, JD Pagulayan, Jericho Cristino, and Icee Callangan.
They are now headed to the Final Four against, incidentally, San Beda University, which gave them their sole loss in the regular season.
But the job remains the same for the Junior ALTAs.
"Super happy kami pero tinatago lang po namin ‘yung saya, humble lang po kami. ‘Yung excitement sa panalo hindi namin nilalabas pa kasi sinasabi sa amin ng coach na wala pa, hindi pa po namin naaabot ‘yung goal namin. May semis pa," Roluna said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
