MANILA, Philippines —In a week marked by reflection and faith, Perpetual Help coach Joph Cleopas guided the Junior Altas to their first NCAA crown—and dedicated the triumph to God.

READ: NCAA: Perpetual Help makes history with first-ever juniors crown

On Holy Tuesday, Cleopas and  Junior Altas beat College of St. Benilde in a dominant Game 3 win, 101-67, to rule the NCAA Season 100 juniors’ basketball Finals.

Instead of simply celebrating with his players after the milestone victory, Cleopas made it a point to give glory to the Most High in his first postgame interview as a champion high school coach.

“Before anything else, I wouldn’t have this without my promise to God,” said  Cleopas. “I told God to give me this victory so His name would be glorified, and I want to share His good news with everyone.”

Even before taking over as head coach of the Junior Altas, Cleopas had already embraced the role of a messenger for the Lord.

When he was a strength and conditioning coach under Aldin Ayo at the University of Santo Tomas in 2018, Cleopas was already passionate about spreading the Word.

Now with a bigger platform as a head coach, Cleopas made sure his championship moment reflected his faith. He appeared on he NCAA’s broadcast where he shared the message close to his heart.

“He died for our sins. The only way to receive eternal life is to receive His name and know that He died on the cross,” he said. “We will be saved. That’s the only thing in my heart before anything else, because that’s my promise to the Lord.”

In just two years at the helm of Perpetual Help’s juniors program, Cleopas has already made two Finals appearances and delivered the school’s first-ever NCAA championship.