Under coach Racela, Altas eye 2-0 start

Perpetual Help coach Olsen Racela gives the Altas some pep talk.-NCAA Photos

It’s too early to tell if Perpetual Help will be among the title contenders in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

But the Altas have a chance this early to put themselves at the top of the standings.

Flourishing under new coach Olsen Racela, the Altas came through with a clinical 82-66 rout of the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers last Tuesday, catching the attention of those attuned to the oldest varsity league’s centennial season.

Homegrown star Mark Gojo Cruz, who cut his teeth with Perpetual’s powerhouse high school squad, seemed to transition seamlessly into the seniors division, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Racela, understandably, isn’t putting too much stock on the victory.

“We’re learning, adjusting with each other. It will be a long process,” said the former national team mainstay and current assistant coach of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA.

That long process goes through Arellano on Friday, when the two teams clash at 2:30 p.m. at San Juan Arena.