PREVIEW: NCAA MVP Dapol among Perpetual’s leaders in bid for Final Four return

Published April 4, 2024 8:29pm

Updated April 4, 2024 8:46pm

Key loss: Janine Padua
Key holdovers: Mary Rhose Dapol, Shaila Omipon, Tracy Andal, Winnie Bedania, Razel Aldea, Jhasmine Sapin
Season 98 record: 8-1

The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA was close to reaching the finals in NCAA Season 98. 

After finishing second in the elimination round with eight wins and one loss, the Lady Altas fell to eventual finalists Lyceum of the Philippines University in the second round of the knockout step ladder.

For Season 99, the Las Piñas-based crew is eyeing a return trip to the Final Four, especially with outstanding players such as Mary Rhose Dapol still in the team.

“GIno-goal po namin is first, makapasok sa Final Four. After naming makapasok sa Final Four, ‘yung goal namin utay-utay naming tinataas, is makapasok naman sa Finals,” Dapol told GMA News Online.

(Our goal is to enter the Final Four. After that, we will try to reach higher and enter the Finals.)

The reigning Most Valuable Player is one of those expected to lead the wards of head coach Sandy Rieta, with the likes of last season’s top rookie Shaila Omipon, best libero Marian Andal, and veteran Razel Aldea.

Dapol, who topped the league in scoring with at least 155 points, and the best server with a total of 30 aces in the tournament, admitted there is pressure in being named as the league’s top player.

“May pressure kasi ngayong last playing year ko, gusto ko ulit makamit kung ano ‘yung nangyari sa’ kin last year,” said Dapol, who had a guest stint in the pro league last season. 

“Pressure sa sarili ko kasi may gusto ako mapatunayan. Gino-goal ko is makuha ulit ‘yun.”

(There is pressure in my last playing year, I want what happened last year to happen again. There is pressure for myself since I want to prove something. I am attempting to get it again.)

On a team level, Dapol said she sees what she is expecting for Perpetual during training. The challenge, however, is to bring it on the taraflex.

“Ine-expect ko siguro na i-perform ang ginagawa namin sa training para at least ‘yung ginalaw namin sa training, madala sa actual game.”

(I am expecting them to translate to the game our moves during training.)

Omipon, meanwhile, hopes for an improved performance for the Lady Altas.

“Kung anuman ‘yung lapses last season, hopefully mas mapunan na ngyaon.”

(Whatever the lapses are last season, hopefully we can improve on it.)

Team captain Aldea echoed their sentiments.

“Ine-expect po [namin] na we will perform better last season kasi we prepared more than pa our preparation before. I also expect na everyone will contribute,” said Aldea.

Aside from Dapol, Andal, Omipon, and Aldea, returning for Perpetual in Season 99 are Winnie Bedana, Krisha Cordero, Charisse Enrico, Joanna Lozano, Charmaine Ocado, and Jhasmine Sapin.

Joining them this season are Cyrille Alemania, Fianne Ariola, Mikayla Mindanao, Daizerlyn Uy, Camille Bustamante, and Nicollete Gaa.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News