Romwel Anzures

University of Perpetual Help in NCAA Season 101 against Arellano University. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760359613597IMG_9412.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="University of Perpetual Help in NCAA Season 101 against Arellano University. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">University of Perpetual Help in NCAA Season 101 against Arellano University. <em>Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — University of Perpetual Help is riding its best start in NCAA men’s basketball in 10 years, but head coach Olsen Racela anticipates that the road will only get tougher for his Altas.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">Winners of four straight — with the Las Piñas-based cagers taking down defending champion Mapua University, San Sebastian College, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Arellano University in Season 101 so far — the Altas have given Racela his best start as Perpetual mentor.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">The Altas have not seen this run of form since erstwhile Mythical Members Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie were still in the squad in Season 91, but for Racela, complacency will be their biggest opponent moving forward.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Lahat ng games namin, kailangang pigain para lang manalo,” said Racela, who was still a member of the NCAA broadcast panel 10 years ago. “Pero may nine games pa, so bawal talagang mag-relax.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Leading Perpetual so far in Group B are Mark Gojo Cruz, Patrick Sleat, JP Boral, Shawn Orgo, and John Abis, and Racela is raving about how their core is performing against teams which are more favored over them.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“They are really showing effort, kasi we are not as talented as other teams, so kailangan naming bawiin sa puso at effort,” he said.  “Kaya, I like the way that our players are responding.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">However, up next for the Altas is Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a team that has just ended its slump after three early losses to start the year.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Incidentally, it was also the Knights who ended Perpetual’s dream start in Season 91 by halting their win streak at four.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">On Wednesday, Racela and company will have the chance to right that wrong when the Altas and the Knights lock horns at 2:30 p.m., but that is the least of Perpetual’s concerns.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">For Racela, what matters instead is how the Altas will respond now that they have bigger targets on their backs.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Yung sunod na mga kalaban namin, mas mabigat pa,” said Racela. “Pero we’re just trying to get as many wins as possible to be in a better position sa next round.”<strong></strong></p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABmse6KaliIuAtYu"></script></div>

<p>#NCAA101 | Perpetual Help is riding its best start in NCAA men’s basketball in 10 years, but Olsen Racela anticipates that the road will only get tougher for his Altas.</p>

#NCAA101 | Perpetual Help is riding its best start in NCAA men’s basketball in 10 years, but Olsen Racela anticipates that the road will only get tougher for his Altas.

NCAA: Racela warns against complacency as Perpetual rides perfect start

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NCAA: Racela warns against complacency as Perpetual rides perfect start

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 13, 2025 10:03 PM PHT

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