Season 91 finish: Fifth place
Elimination round record: 12-6
Point differential: -3.3
Pomp and Circumstance: Nichole Bangga, David Ortega, Renimark Tano, Donald De Guzman, Godoredo Capara
Premier Cup record: 2nd place
Additions: Ariel Aguilar, Rence Alcoriza, Lervin Flores, Adam Gupilan, Kraniel Viloria, Nielsen Filart, Renzil Rivera
| Name |
| Aguilar, Ariel Y. |
| Alcoriza, Rence Luis L. |
| Cadavis, Julius Salvador T. |
| Enriquez, Allen S. |
| Flores, Lervin Y. |
| Gumaru, Donald G. |
| Gupilan, Adam King D. |
| Holts, Dioncee M. |
| Jalalon, Jiovanni N. |
| Meca, Brylle Ivan M. |
| Nicholls, Zachary James C. |
| Salado, Michael Kent A. |
| Viloria, Kraniel S. |
| Zamora, John Kenneth M. |
| FIlart, Nielsen John A. |
| Ongolo-Ongolo, Ellie D. |
| Rivera, Renzil D. |
Assessment
The Arellano University Chiefs currently have the best point guard in the amateur ranks. And in his final year playing for his alma mater, can Jio Jalalon give his team a shot at the title?
In their previous NCAA campaign, Jalalon’s playmaking had been the glue that kept the Chiefs together. He has the ability to dictate the tempo of the game and he always made sure to set up his teammates often.
Looking at the team’s composition, Arellano is a well-balanced team. They have surrounded Jalalon with complimentary guards like Dondon Gumaru, Kent Salado, and Brylle Meca. The Chiefs also have versatile forwards in Dioncee Holts and Allen Enriquez, which further strengthens their inside-outside approach.
But with all of those complimentary pieces surrounding Jalalon, one glaring flaw that this team had last year was their undersized frontcourt. In their do-or-die match against the Mapua Cardinals, Allwell Oraeme exposed this weakness heavily and virtually forced the Chiefs to play exclusively around the perimeter. The likes of former center Nichole Bangga and stretch forward Holts were overwhelmed with the constant banging inside the paint against the towering Oraeme.
To combat this problem, the Chiefs did well to shore up their frontline woes. They have added the likes of Adam Gupilan and Lervin Flores to bulk up their front line. During their Filoil preseason stint, both proved to be capable in playing extensive minutes at the center position. In Gupilan, the Chiefs get a bruiser underneath, while they get an athletic big in Flores.
Another thing that the Chiefs need to address this upcoming season is their consistency. More often than not, there were a lot of games wherein Jalalon had to exert himself heavily in order for the team stay afloat. It may be a good sign individually for an all-around guard in Jalalon, but it hurt the team in the long run. This has been the case, especially with the likes of Holts, Zach Nicholls, Salado and Gumaru. They must make it a point to limit their scoring droughts to ease the heavy burden placed on Jalalon’s weary shoulders game in and game out.
With all that being said, the Chiefs still remain as one of the championship contenders. In their last few seasons, they were hardened by the experiences given by those excruciating defeats and for them, now is the time to chase that elusive championship trophy. With Jalalon leading the way, his teammates must follow suit.
Quotes Jerry Codinera
“Knowing the coaches, they will prepare hard. They know the capabilities of bawat isa sa amin. Medyo head-on fight ang season na ito.”
Prediction
14-4 (Champion!)
| STARTER PACK CENTRAL | |
| Follow the High Chief’s Lead | Blazing a New Trail |
 |  |
| Sword without a Shield | Another New Era Begins |
 |  |
| Bombs Away! | Waiting for the Baby Beast |
 |  |
| All is Well | REDemption |
 |  |
| Macaraya Magic | Under the Bright Light |
 |  |
