The Arellano Chiefs made a statement last season. Dubbed the ‘giant slayers’ for notable wins over Final Four bets San Beda, Benilde, and LPU, the Chiefs definitely had their flex moments in Season 100 despite not making the playoffs.

Beyond all the great impressions and takeaways from what has been, Coach Chico Manabat has a firm grip on the steering wheel as the Chiefs march onto NCAA Season 101 with “clarity and focus.”

“Wala akong masabi. Lahat sila nagtutulungan. Ang kailangan lang namin ay yung clarity and focus, at most specially yung determination namin na talunin talaga yung big programs,” Manabat told GMA Synergy in an exclusive interview. 

“Right focus. Yun ang magdadala talaga sa team na ito,” he added.

Arellano’s Season 101 kickstarter comes on Saturday, October 4 when they clash with the Mapúa Cardinals, where the motivation not only to take down the reigning NCAA kings, but to finally win an opening game since Manabat helmed the program. 

“Sabi nga nila eh first game ng Arellano, hindi pa kami nakakakuha ng panalo since na hinawakan ko ito. Siguro nga ang purpose nito is lalo namin pagbutihin, not only to start strong, but to finish stronger,” reflected Manabat. 

Despite impressive wins over powerhouse teams last season, the Chiefs struggled to recover from their four straight losses in the early goings of the first round which proved costly to their efforts to build momentum. 

“Lesson learned din yung mga nangyari samin eh– we came short, fell short pero ang importante buo yung experience na nakuha namin sa losses na yun,” he noted. 

Defense will still be the name of the game for Arellano, believes Manabat, as he wants his boys to pick up the intensity from a busy offseason especially on the defensive end. 

“Defensive-oriented talaga kami. We base on defense muna bago dumating yung offense, so marami kaming ginawa. Yung mga pocket tournament napagbigyan kami, and thankful kami sa mga coaches dun na talagang winelcome kami para sa improvement ng program,” he said, adding that Arellano’s program development benefited from joining various preseason leagues.

Asked who he thinks will make an immediate impact in Season 101, Manabat uttered praises for Yuan Camay, Ernjay Geronimo, and CJ Libang. 

“Nakikita ko si CJ Libang. And then sa point guard, nag-mature na si Yuan [Camay] at [Ernjay] Geronimo. Mas lalo na silang naging intact, kasi nga sa leadership nila sa mga bata. Yung samahan nila ibang-iba na rin talaga eh, na napatunayan namin sa mga tuneup games namin, nananalo kami,” he lauded. 

There will be several new faces boosting Arellano’s roster, including MJ Langit, Leyton Buenaventura, and Anjord Cabotaje.

“It’s all about the team and the coaches na kasama ko dito sa Arellano program. And with the support of the Cayco family, isang team kami. Marami kaming naiisip, marami kaming gusto gawin, pero one step at a time until dumating itong Season 101,” he said.