“Hindi nila na-involve yung mga pasahero nila sa bus. Yung konduktor at drayber lang naglaro.”
The Arellano University Chiefs suffered its first loss to the Red Lions in almost two years. During the game, the Chiefs started strong, leading 17-2 early and leading by as much as 22 points (36-14) midway through the second quarter. However, the San Beda Red Lions did not panic as they chipped down the lead and eventually taking over late.
Arellano head coach rued that his team lacked poise and maturity compared to the Red Lions.
“Sayang nandun na sana. It’s a good margin kaso nawala yung poise e. Okay pa nung halftime tapos sabi ko ‘sa third babalik yan,'” he reflected. “Nawala yung poise nung mga bata, nagkanya-kanya, yung bench support nawala. More on the offensive-side yung tinitignan nila, hindi yung how to make stops.”
“I guess looking back that’s why San Beda is like this it’s because of their composure and their winning culture.”
The game was tied at 75-all with still 7:06 remaining in the game. The tides of the game turned towards the favor of San Beda after a costly technical foul after an unusual move by transferee Lervin Flores.
Arellano big man Lervin Flores was assessed with a technical foul off a rebound. Flores composed himself for the rebound but made a motion of dropping the ball on Joe Presbitero’s head resulting to a technical foul
“Disappointing talaga yung tawag kay Flores,” a disappointed Arellano coach said. “Hindi ko rin alam bakit niya pinukpok ng ganun. Hindi naman niya ginagawa yun.”
“Siguro because of the atmosphere, nawala yung poise, or nakikita niya yun sa TV.”
The ensuing free throw sparked an 8-0 rally. Moreover, the Chiefs failed to make stops in the final frame as Davon Potts and Donald Tankoua combined for 19 fourth quarter points on 6-for-6 shooting from the field and 6-for-7 shooting from the stripe.
In addition to the lack of poise his team displayed in the game, the Defensive Minister was disappointed with how the backcourt tandem of Jio Jalalon and Kent Salado, arguably the best backcourt in collegiate basketball today, failed to involve their teammates in the game.
Jalalon finished the game with 25 points in 35 minutes of game time while Salado added 16 markers. The Cagayan de Oro-natives combined for just seven assists, 3.6 assists shy of their norms.
“Ang baba ng assist nila,” he furthered.
“Hindi nila na-involve yung mga pasahero nila sa bus. Yung konduktor at drayber lang naglaro.”
“The challenge there is how they will involve their teammates.”
To be considered at-par with elite teams like San Beda, Letran, and Mapua, the Chiefs need to mature as quickly as possible, especially with the end of the first round closing in.
