Perpetual Help celebrates 1st NCAA basketball title with bonfire party

University of Perpetual Help celebrated its first basketball championship since joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1984 with a bonfire party on Tuesday evening at the football field its Las Piñas City campus.

The bonfire was led by the Junior Altas, who defeated the Greenies of La Salle Greenhills in the finals, 2-1, to claim the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball crown.

At the centerpiece of the celebration was the elegant NCAA trophy which stood alongside three preseason plums from the 2024 Next Generation Basketball League, Under Armour Curry 12 Invitational Championship and Season 2 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League under-18 tournament.

Thousands of students, alumni, school officials and administrators participated in the festivities which was held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of the school this year.

Taking pride of the moment was University of Perpetual Help chairman Dr. Antonio Tamayo.

The members of the champion team, who were introduced one by one, are Season 100 and Finals MVP Lebron Jhames Daep, Mythical Five member Jan Roluna, Most Improved Player Jericho Cristino, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, Kelsey Baldoria, Aries Borja, TJ Tabbuan, Jacob Dela Cruz, Louie Rosales, Jim Corpuz, Kurt Velasquez, Keanne Zanoria, Ezekiel Zamoras, Ryan Llupar and Lance Nitura.

"You made history by winning the first championship trophy in NCAA juniors basketball," school president Dr. Anthony Tamayo said.

"We watch you with heart inside the court, game after game an your dedication in every game, we know your journey is not easy, we thank you all for the honor you brought to Perpetual, Long live and congratulations to you Junior Altas," he added.

The Junior Altas also shared the victory bonfire with the other champions of the school such as the street dance juniors team, soft tennis juniors and seniors teams, and the juniors lawn tennis team.