Team Preview: Arellano University Chiefs
Overall record last season: 6-12, 7th place
Head coach: Koy Banal
Assistants: Eric Gonzales, Aris Reyes, Mark Chan, and Gilbert Castillo
Players:
Acidre, Rocky
Bangga, Nichole John
Cadavis, Julius Salvador.
Caperal, Prince Renmer
Espiras, Brandon Jordan
Forrester, James Patrick
Hernandez, Levi
Lunas, John Aldrin
Malanday, Larry John II
Palma, Christian Mari
Pinto, Nard John
Salcedo, Ralph Chrysler
Serjue, Adam Jacob
Valera Jr., Teresito
Zulueta, Vergel Angelo
A new coach, a new hope for the rebuilding Arellano University Chiefs in Season 88.
Key Losses
Among the five former Chiefs who bid their collegiate careers goodbye, gutsy Adrian Celada and forward-center Gerald Lapuz will leave bigger holes in the Arellano U rotation, now handled by multi-titled coach Koy Banal. Taking the cudgels in absence of Isaiah Ciriacruz, Celada led the Chiefs in Season 87 with 15.7 points, seventh-best in the league, while Lapuz posted game-averages of 10.2 markers and 8.3 rebounds. Mark Doligon, Kims Pagayunan and Ronnel Del Rosario have also graduated.
Key Additions
Comebacking Ciriacruz is eager to help the Chiefs anew while a slew of foreign-bred players like Fil-Canadian James Forrester and Fil-American Brandon Espiras are raring to strut their wares. The Chiefs will also parade homegrown Nard Pinto, Aldrin Lunas and Levi Hernandez, who are tipped to give the team extra lift. The inclusion of Nichole Bangga, Julius Cadavis, Larry Malanday and Teresito Valera Jr. further underscores the rebuilding stage of the Chiefs under the watchful eyes of Banal. Offensive-minded Adam Serjue, meanwhile, suffered an ACL injury in the off-season, postponing his debut for another season.
Holdovers
Only four Chiefs will continue their quest this season, with Rocky Acidre emerging as the brightest spot with averages of 11.6 markers and 3.4 assists last season. Forward Vergel Zulueta, who posted 12.6 markers per outing, will also be back along with Prince Caperal and Christian Palma.
Season Outlook, Strengths and Weaknesses
With a virtually new crew, the Chiefs hope to give the league’s heavyweights a run for their money. The championship experience of Banal, who steered Far Eastern University and San Beda to the Promised Land, will hopefully rub off on the Chiefs and instill in them a winning attitude. The Chiefs can also revolve their offense around Ciriacruz, Acidre and Zulueta. But chemistry is still the biggest issue among the Chiefs. With 10 new players, a slow start will be understandable for the Chiefs but expect a better showing in the second round. If St. Benilde, Mapua and JRU fail to get the job done, a semis seat is not far-fetched for Arellano U.
Prognosis
Known as a defensive coach, Banal is expected to improve the Chiefs defense overall that may serve them in good stead. The Chiefs may flinch with the physicality set to be imposed by San Sebastian and Letran. A slight improvement in win-loss record is attainable and that might just bear fruit in the coming seasons.
