Led by the stellar play of point guard extraordinaire Jiovani Jalalon, the Arellano University Chiefs have been one of the more exciting and competitive teams this season. During the first round wherein they had a 6-3 record, they usually used their quickness and torrid outside shooting in overwhelming their opponents.
However, things started on the wrong foot for the Chiefs come the second round of the ongoing NCAA basketball wars. They only managed to win once in their last three games. Another boggling concern from them is that their losses came from red-hot teams like the JRU Heavy Bombers, Mapua Cardinals, and most recently, the Letran Knights. During those games, they would usually establish a huge lead but they would run out of gas come the final quarter.
“Naiisip ko na lang ang sama [ng mga last few games namin] kasi lumalamang na kami ng sampu tapos bigla na lang kaming matatalo. Siguro problema sa mga player ito kasi sinusundan naman namin ang mga coach kaya siguro sa amin talaga ang problema,” the Smart Elite ambassador told Tiebreaker Times when asked about Arellano’s rough second round. “Iyong kanina din [against Letran], [we gave up] 11 points in 4 minutes, kasalanan din ng mga players namin kasi lumaban kami sa bilisan nila [nung end-game] dapat noon relaxed lang kami.”
In addition, Jalalon pointed out that his team must find ways to adjust to the increasing level of competition as the season progresses. They must learn to adjust to the tactics thrown at them and they must show poise and maturity during the crucial moments of a game.
“Siguro ang daming nawala kasi noong first round ang ganda ng record namin. Ngayon, mukhang lumobo ang mga ulo namin kasi hindi naman kami ganito maglaro,” Jalalon added. “Kailangan namin hawakan ang bola kapag lamang kami. Iyon lang naman ang kulang namin, ang maturity [kapag end-game situations].”
Also, they should regroup quickly as they are set to take on a streaking San Beda team for their next game. Given that they scored an upset win against the defending champions during their first round encounter, they should expect a lot of adjustments from the opposition and they will be put to the test.
“Wala na kaming ganoon, hindi tulad noong first round. Dapat makaadjust na kami pagdating ng laban namin sa Beda,” Jalalon added. “Sana pag kalaban namin ang Beda, pag lumamang kami, ako na hahawak ng bola kasi si Salado, hindi ko naman siya sinisisi, wala pa siya sigurong maturity.”
“Di ko masabi kasi Beda hindi nagpapatalo iyan. Kailangan namin magtrabaho at dapat ang ginagawa namin sa practice madala namin dito. Nageenjoy kami sa pratice pero ang maturity [pagdating sa games] namin, wala [at dapat maibalik namin].”
