Instead of giving University of Perpetual Help ace Louie Ramirez a welcome home gift, it was Altas coach Sinfronio Acaylar who received one from his prized cog.
Back from training with V.League club Oita Miyoshi in Japan, Ramirez led the Altas, who looked like a different team with the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player back in its fold, to a 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21 triumph against University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions National University on Sunday at Paco Arena.
“When Louie arrived last Saturday from Japan, his teammates’ confidence and mental toughness rose so of course I thank him for that,” Acaylar said.
Motivated to reach the semifinals of the tough eight-team field, Perpetual boosted its bid to place in the top four that will move on to the playoffs.
And it would take everything that Ramirez has to give, including his experience from Japan, to secure that berth.
The Altas had a 2-3 (win-loss) standing when Ramirez was training overseas, something that he hopes to help improve.
“I watch all of their games and I feel bad about the losses. But when I was abroad, I studied what I can give to the team so that when I get home we can all rise together,” said Ramirez in Filipino, adding that he was thankful for the opportunity to train with the Japanese team. INQ