The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is on a roll this season, leading Group A with six wins and only one loss in the ongoing NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
According to head coach Olsen Racela, the Altas’ strong showing comes from their unwavering “grind” mentality.
“Ang nakalagay sa board namin: Grind. Grind. Grind wins,” Racela said on Wednesday after their victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
“Alam namin na mahihirapan kami against EAC. I think tumatak sa kanila na hindi magiging madali lahat, lalo na ‘yung next three games, including this one. So sinabi ko sa kanila, grind, grind. Part of that, of course, is working hard and playing really tough defense.”
Against EAC, Perpetual pulled off a late rally after being tied at 60 with less than three minutes left in the game.
However, the road ahead doesn’t get easier for the Altas, who are set to face powerhouse teams De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde next and San Beda University afterward.
Perpetual’s veteran John Abis echoed his coach’s message, saying the team’s identity revolves around effort and discipline.
“Sabi sa amin ng coaches una pa lang: Grind, grind, grind,” Abis said. “’Yun palagi niyang sinasabi, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”
“Kailangan namin trabahuhin talaga ‘tong season kasi hindi naman kami ganoon kalakas. Kumbaga, sa sistema lang din kami tumatakbo. Inaamin namin na hindi kami katulad ng Benilde, San Beda, o Letran. Sumusunod lang kami sa sistema and good thing na maganda ang natatakbo namin,” he added.
As they prepare to face Benilde on Saturday, Racela emphasized the need to play their best basketball.
“We have to bring our A-game, both on offense and defense. Anything less than an A-game, hindi puwede against Benilde,” he said.
For Abis, the mindset remains simple: “Grind pa rin, grind pa rin.”
—GMA Integrated News
