Newly-installed Arellano University head coach Chico Manabat believes in the potential of his team despite the fact that they need to rebuild after the departures of some of the Chiefs' key players like Cade Flores and Travis Mantua.
But Manabat shared that he's not giving up on the potential returns of Flores and Mantua, who are both in Australia right now and are undecided whether they will suit up for the Chiefs in the NCAA Season 99 later this year.
"Right now sa first month ko and sa first preseason ko as head coach ng AU, so far nakikita ko naman 'yung potential nila and syempre, marami pa akong tatrabahuhin diyan," Manabat told GMA Integrated News in an interview following a 94-83 loss to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Monday.
"Lahat 'to ay key players e kasi nawala 'yung mga key players like Cade Flores and Travis Mantua and iba pa."
"Hopefully sana bumalik sila. Ngayon, nakikita ko naman na even without the superstars ang gagawin na lang namin ay to build a culture and family."
("Right now, in my first month and in my first preseason as head coach of AU, so far I can see their potential and of course, there's a lot of work to be done... All of the guys are key players because we lost some key players like Cade Flores and Travis Mantua and some others... Hopefully they come back, but now, I can see even without the superstars, what we'll do is to build a culture and family.")
Flores and Mantua both played key roles in their 7-11 win-loss finish in the previous season with the former joining the Mythical Five alongside Will Gozum, JB Bahio, James Kwekuteye, and King Caralipio while also copping the Rookie of the Year plum. Mantua, on the other hand, beefed up their backcourt with Axel Doromal and Kai Oliva.
But the two haven't been training with the Chiefs since then as they returned to their respective homes in Australia.
"Wish ko kay Cade and Travis na bumalik na and syempre, wala namang imposible. And how many months to go, four months or three months to go, malay natin na magkatotoo," added Manabat.
"Actually tinry namin mag-reach out with college teams na nasa Australia and si Dan (Mallari), 'yung team captain namin na Fil-Aussie, tina-try niya makipagusap kay Cade and Travis and sana may magandang response sila."
("My wish is that Cade and Travis come back and of course, nothing's impossible. How many months to go, four months of three months to go, who knows, it might stil come true... Actually, we've tried to reach out to college teams in Australia and Dan, our team captain who is Fil-Aussie, he's trying to speak with Cade and Travis and I hope there will be a good response.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
