For some, taking top seed is just for bragging rights, but for the Arellano community, it’s about making history. Ever since they joined the NCAA back in 2009, San Beda had always reigned atop the standings.
Two seasons ago, the Arellano University Chiefs and the San Beda College Red Lions finished the elimination phase with identical 13-5 slates. However, the Chiefs dropped the playoff game for top seed to end up as the number two ranked team entering the Final Four.
The current batch of Chiefs are in the same predicament after having dropped their final elimination round game last Friday against the San Beda Red Lions – a team they have yet to beat this season. Now, both teams are tied at the top with 14-4 records, with Tuesday’s game serving as the tiebreaker.
“Sobrang sama, pero okay pa naman kami. Sayang lang,” lamented Jalalon, who finished the game with 14 points on a dismal 5-of-23 shooting clip. “Nanghihinayang kaming lahat kasi gusto namin mag-number one.”
Unlike their first round encounter, which saw San Beda rally back to take the win, the Red Lions did not let up last Friday, leading by as much as 16 points during the third frame. For Jalalon, he feels they were not able to execute their game plan well due to the eagerness the team had to make history.
“Nag-focus kami sa game na ito pero di namin nasunod yung ibang pinapagawa ng coaches kaya kami nalamangan,” the Cagayan de Oro native reflected.
“Sa huli lang kami nakinig kay coach kung ano ang gagawin, nakahabol kami pero kulang sa oras.”
The High Chief vowed that a different Arellano team will come out on Tuesday.
“Kailangan namin mag-work hard sa Tuesday at pagbutihan ang pag-scout ng players nila especially kay [Javee] Mocon. Siguro pagdating sa Tuesday, handa na kami.
“Gigil kami, sobra. Gusto namin mag-number one,” he promised.
