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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Junior Altas eye 14th title in NCAA volleyball

Junior Altas eye 14th title in NCAA volleyball

Published Jan 18, 2026 02:04 pm

At A Glance

  • Defending champion Perpetual braces for a tough title defense in the NCAA juniors division as volleyball action kicks off on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City.
Defending champion Perpetual braces for a tough title defense in the NCAA juniors division as volleyball action kicks off on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City.
The Junior Altas spikers will welcome nine rookies, led by Symon Suyat of Baguio City, and Daryll John Torio and Cholo Bustamante of Pangasinan, as they fill the spots vacated by Nathan Ciriaco, Zyro Ornos, Miguel Dela Cruz, Resty Santos and Charles Concina who are already playing in the collegiate ranks.
Head coach Sandy Rieta expects an uphill climb this season as the tournament implements a new format with the 10 schools now divided into two groups for a single-round elimination.
Perpetual is in Group A together with Emilio Aguinaldo College, Mapua (Malayan), San Beda and San Sebastian.
Group B has Letran, Jose Rizal University, Arellano, La Salle - Greenhills, and Lyceum - General Trias.
Rieta will also rely on mainstays such as team captain Gabriel Macatuno, Limuel Valderama, libero JM Regorosa and Finals MVP John Lat.
It can be recalled that the Junior Altas recorded 11 straight wins including a 9-game elimination sweep before fighting in the best-of-three Finals against the Letran Squires.
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