Myk Saguiguit was all smiles after successfully steering Perpetual back to the Final Four in his first year as head coach.

Making it sweeter were the challenges along the way after the Altas survived three straight do-or-die games.

Photo from GMA NCAA

“Sobrang blessed kumbaga di naman namin inakala ito eh. Una nga akala namin nung start nung 97 wala namang Perpetual na pinaguusapan. Sabi ko sa mga bata, pakilala naman tayo kahit papaano, maramdaman ng NCAA na kasali tayo. Nag-respond naman sila,” said Saguiguit as the Altas rode a four-game win streak bridging the eliminations and the play-in to make it through the elimination round and secure the semifinals spot.

The Altas started the last-ditch playoff push with a victory over the Lyceum Pirates, 72-69, before outlasting the EAC Generals, 63-60, for the last play-in spot. They survived the Arellano Chiefs, 59-52, in the first round of the play-in and bucked the absence of main gun Kim Aurin to pull off a convincing 76-64 win over the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

“Parang wala ngang butas ng karayom, kumbaga sarado e. Nalagpasan talaga nila gustong-gusto talaga nila kaya I give credit to them trinabaho talaga ng mga players namin,” the former longtime Altas juniors coach commented.

“Masayang masaya kasi alam mo naman kaya ako pumunta sa Perpetual kasi gusto ko manalo ng laro eh, gusto ko makilala yung alma mater ko, kahit in a small way. Masaya manalo sa Perpetual, every time na umuuwi kami laging fiesta,” he added.

Saguiguit was just too happy to guide the Altas back to relevance this season.

“Nakaangat ako ngayon kumbaga, ‘yung enjoyment, ‘yung saya sobra para akong nakalutang ngayon. Sobrang saya lang gusto kong i-enjoy ‘yung moment na ito dahil mababanggit na yung Perpetual.”

Perpetual arranged a semis clash against the top seed and defending champion Letran on Sunday.


Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/06/myk-saguiguit-on-cloud-nine-as-altas-make-final-four-return/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=myk-saguiguit-on-cloud-nine-as-altas-make-final-four-return)