Arellano University head coach Cholo Martin can now heave a big sigh of relief after his wards put an end to their three-game losing slump with a dismantling of Mapua University on Sunday in NCAA Season 97.
The Chiefs showed the door to the struggling Cardinals, coming away with a 72-63 victory.
Martin stressed that the win was vital as the league is already approaching the halfway point of the single-round elimination stage.
"Salamat at nakaahon din," Martin said after they cruised to victory.
"Kailangang-kailangan eh dahil sa standings. 'Yun 'yung pinaglalaban ng mga bata, 'yung umangat kami sa standings kasi pag natalo maiiwan kami eh."
Arellano opened the season on the right foot, running with a 65-63 squeaker against San Sebastian College-Recoletos but the events after that resulted in heartbreakers for Arellano.
The Chiefs fell in three consecutive games against defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
With their latest win, Martin said the odds of them entering the playoffs, or at least the play-in tournament, remain very much alive.
The Chiefs now hold a 2-3 record, tied with two other teams for fifth place. Teams up to sixth place can still advance into the Final Four by way of the play-in.
"Oo kaya pa [yung Final Four], yun ang talagang target namin. Pero [top] six muna kasi yung [top] four malabo na kasi apat na sila ron eh."
—JMB, GMA News
