After their tough loss against Letran last week, Arellano University’s Axel Doromal made sure that he is going to bounce back this time around.
And he did against Lyceum producing a well-rounded 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and a game-high plus-23 in the box plus-minus category.
“Gusto ko lang bumawi doon sa bad game namin nung Letran, lumamang na kami pero natalo pa. Mindset lang namin is bumawi and buti nanalo kami,” said Doromal after their 77-63 blowout against the Pirates.
“Nag-adjust ako nung second round kasi puro pukol, puro points lang nasa isip ko (nung first round), ngayon nasa isip ko na why not mag-distribute ng bola sa kakampi and ayun nga, marami akong nakakausap na coaches, not just coach Cholo [Martin], and sabi nga nila mag-adjust. Tsaka maganda ‘yung tinatakbo namin sa practice ‘pag maganda pasahan namin,” he continued.
The Chiefs’ ball movement went really well led by Doromal who had a team-high in assists with five, tied with Shane Menina.
But this passing display from the Arellano guard came out after a tense exchange with their big man Cade Flores.
“Nagkasagutan kasi kami ni Cade kasi nga ‘di ko raw siya pinapasahan kaya medyo natauhan ako no’n,” said Doromal.
Despite the not-so-good verbal conversation with each other, the outcome turned out to be a good thing for both as Flores and Doromal were the ones who paced the Chiefs into victory.
That is why for Flores, it was a blessing in disguise since they are now back in the win column.
“Maybe we handled it wrong but after that exchange, look at us now — passing the ball. Our chemistry is a lot better so at least we’re both on the same page,” said Flores who had his best performance of the season producing 23 markers, 12 boards, two dimes, a block, and a league-best seven steals.
And now that they are back in the middle of the standings, the undersized Fil-Aussie big man had some message for the rest of the league.
“Yeah for sure,” Flores replied when asked if there is more to come from him after this breakout game.
“We’re on a mission right now. We’re trying to make the final four. I’m gonna leave what’s on the court every game. So I’m gonna make that happen.”
Meanwhile, Doromal is just happy that he finally added something new to his bag.
“Masarap sa pakiramdam pala na namamasa at hindi lang scoring ‘yung iniisip.”
The Chiefs will look to continue their second half turnaround against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday, 12 NN.
