UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta is setting the stage this early as it celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
The school has prepared several activities and programs for the buildup leading to what university officials dubbed as the “Road To Gold.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Marjorie Gutierrez-Tangog and UPHR VP for Sports Development Anton Tamayo made the announcement during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where they were joined by sports coordinator Frank Gusi and women’s volleyball team captain Rizal Paula Aldea.
“We are celebrating our 49th year and this is leading to our 50th year in what we call our ‘Road To Gold’ in 2025. Nagsimula na ‘yan this year and unti-unti na naming ni-launch like our alumnus taking an active role in our sports program, like in the case of Scottie Thompson who is now part of the coaching staff of the men’s basketball team,” said Gutierrez-Tangog.
She also disclosed in the public sports program backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, PLDT/Smart, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines, the launching by June or July of the school’s athletes’ quarters, a 12th-storey building where all of the athletes will be housed.
But the bottom line of the university’s golden anniversary celebration is the Altas doing well in all sporting events, specifically the men’s basketball team which is now being handled by a new coach in nine-time PBA champion Olsen Racela.
Gusi said it has been the dream of Perpetual Help chairman Antonio Tamayo for the school to win its first NCAA championship after twice falling short in the past in 1988 and 2004.
“‘Yun ang kanyang (Tamayo) ambisyon, ang makatikim naman ng championship (sa basketball). Lumaban na rin naman ang Perpetual sa finals, pero nagkataon lang na hindi sinuwerte,” said the long-time athletic director.
The Altas have enjoyed a winning culture in other sports, such as chess, beach volleyball, table tennis, and volleyball, where it has been a power in the men’s, women’s, and boys’ divisions. Both the men’s and boys’ teams are the reigning NCAA champions.
“Inalis namin ‘yung pressure (of wininng the title). Ang nilagay namin ma-inspire pa kami. Kasi yung men’s team namin champion, so ang iniisip namin kung kaya nila, kaya rin namin,” said Aldea.
