Altas hone up for next NC season, join D-League

The Perpetual Help Altas are joining the PBA D-League, hoping to toughen up and gain experience in their buildup for next year’ s NCAA after missing the playoffs in the just-concluded season.

With Bright Akhutie moving over to University of the Philippines, the Las Piñas-based school struggled and finished at joint eighth with College of St. Benilde on 4-14 (win-loss) records, eventually missing the Final Four after coming one game away from making the finals last season.

Now the Altas want to get back in shape and into fighting form.

“We’re joining the D-League to toughen up the players and team as a whole and gain experience,” said Perpetual Help consultant Nosa Omorogbe.

Prince Eze, who missed the NCAA MVP plum but ended up with a slot in the First Mythical Team, will still spearhead the team with the 6-11 Nigerian to be backed up by the likes of AJ Coronel, Kieth Pido, Jack Hao and Antonio Tamayo.

The Altas will also field in newcomers Edgar Charcos from University of the East, Krystoffe Jimenez from Far Eastern U and Anthony Peralta from Cagayan de Oro.

Also getting slots in the squad are Danreb Antonio, Julius Tiburcio, Kim Aurin, Jerome Pacia, Jonmarc Precillas, Isidro Salvador, Marcus Tongco, Jonrey Villanueva, Rommel Mangalino and Carl Soriano.

Newly crowned back-to-back champion San Beda, carrying the Cignal banner, honed up by competing in the D-League with Robert Bolick flaunting his much-improved game in the finals.

Like Perpetual Help, rivals NCAA runner-up Lyceum of the Phl U, Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde are also participating in the PBA D-League set early in January.