Coming off a disappointing NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball campaign, Season 95 hosts Arellano University Chiefs will not be waiting late in the year to prepare for their campaign next season.
According to Arellano athletic director Peter Cayco, San Beda Red Lions assistant coach Cholo Martin is set to take over as the head coach of the Chiefs for their Season 95 campaign.
And it will mark a return for Martin to Arellano.
“Nagkaroon ng deliberation with in Arellano, nag-shortlist kami. Out of the five names, the most number of endorsements was for Cholo Martin,” Cayco said.
“Number one, long before we joined the NCAA, coach ng team namin si Cholo Martin.”
Martin will take over from interim head coach Junjie Ablan.
Ablan was handed the reins to coach Arellano’s last seven games this season after Jerry Codinera suddenly resigned 11 games in.
“So nung umalis si Jerry, nag-usap kami sa board. Sabi namin, kuha na lang kami ng interim. Walang tatanggap kasi niyan at this stage when we are down tapos less than seven games to go. Hanap na lang tayo diyan, tapusin na lang natin yung season,” recalled Cayco, next season’s chairman.
“Kausap namin si Junjie at inakyat niya si Aris [Dimaunahan]. Pero yung kontrata ni Aris until today lang. Salamat kay Junjie dahil alam niya na after today, meron na magta-take over.”
The Chiefs ended their campaign with a 5-13 record.
Martin is a Bedan lifer who was part of the 1977-78 championship squad. He has then served as assistant coach for San Beda teams since 2013, as Boyet Fernandez carried Martin with him after moving from the Sta. Lucia Realtors to San Beda.
And Cayco has made due diligence to tell San Beda of the hiring.
“Kahapon, Cholo met the team. Team A and B. We gave him enough time to finish this season. Right after the final game, Arellano na siya. Napaalam ko na rin siya sa San Beda kanina and they are happy for him,” disclosed Cayco.
“At least, may team na siya na kanya.”
“Masakit, pero it’s an opportunity,” admitted Fernandez. “That is why I always give my assistants an opportunity to integrate into the system para hindi sila maging stagnant.
“I’m sad seeing him go but I’m happy for him.”
He is also the head coach of MPBL club team Pasay Voyagers.
Martin will bring along Voyagers Jaypee Belencion and former Red Lions Yvan Ludovice.
