For Arellano University’s head coach Chico Manabat, his first year coaching in the NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament could have started much better.
The trouble began even before the season started when key players from their Season 98 run departed the team.
Cade Flores, the reigning rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, and a former mythical five member, did not report to the team over the summer and declared for the PBA draft. Guard Travis Mantua also chose to go pro alongside Flores.
With two key players gone, Manabat’s squad not only struggled in the preseason tournaments but also dropped its first four games in the NCAA , losing to teams like San Beda University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
In their latest game, the Chiefs seemed poised for their first win of the season as they led by as much as 24 points against Lyceum of the Philippines University, but they squandered their advantage as the Pirates won 89-77.
A few days later, Arellano’s first win of the season would come in poetic fashion as they faced Manabat’s former team, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and secured an 87-80 victory.
“Masaya talaga kasi eto yung first coaching job ko sa NCAA. And maganda diyan, galing pa akong Letran noon.
“Under Jeff Napa, naging assistant ako doon. Then after namin doon, dun na nag-champion,” said Manabat, as he was part of Napa’s staff from NCAA Seasons 92-94.
Despite the changes to their team, Manabat was determined to get back on track for the season and secure their first win.
Now, the challenge is to sustain it.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, nothing to lose.
“Basta yung pusong palaban ng Arellano, yung pinapaniwalaa natin, yun yung ilalaban namin. Despite na rebuilding kami, I would like to commend our players na binigay nila yung best nila,” said Manabat, who steered CEU to the UCBL championship last season.
Arellano’s next challenge will be against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
