Winning a title in a competitive league like the NCAA is one thing - but winning three championships in a row is another story.
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Sunday made history by ruling the NCAA Season 98 men's volleyball tournament to complete a remarkable three-peat in the division.
Head coach Sammy Acaylar, the architect behind Perpetual's 13 titles since 1985, believes the team may be even tougher come Season 99 as they are set to welcome a couple of blue chip recruits, led by Hero Austria.
Austria, a former Juniors MVP who played his rookie year for Perpetual back in the scrapped Season 95, is currently serving residency after he transferred to Arellano University during the pandemic but has since decided to go back to his roots and play for Perpetual again.
Austria will join a stacked Perpetual lineup bannered by the this year's Season and Finals MVP Louie Ramirez, Best Opposite Spiker Joshua Zareno, and Beach Volleyball MVP Jeff Marapoc.
"We have three players na reserve pa ngayon. Kung malakas kami ngayon, mas malakas kami next year," Acaylar said on the heels of their Game 3 victory against San Beda University.
("We have three players who are reserves right now. If we were strong this year, we'll be even stronger next year.")
Acaylar also shared that while the season has now concluded, it doesn't mean the grind will, too.
This as the ALTAs will now gear up for the Philippine University Volleyball League (PUVL), where they are the reigning champions. Perpetual defeated UAAP champion National University in the previous PUVL edition early this year.
They will also begin preparations for their four-peat campaign in the next collegiate season.
"Actually we have to continue our practice kasi by April 28, meron kaming PUVL league wherein kami ‘yung nag-champion doon, tinalo namin ‘yung number one school sa UAAP," the decorated tactician said.
"So diretso kami ng training, siguro may pahinga ng kaunti."
("Actually, we have to continue practice because by April 28, we have the PUVL league wherein we are the champions, we beat the number one school in the UAAP... So we have to go straight to training after just a short break.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
