Arellano eyes big NCAA Season 101 run with stronger chemistry

The Arellano University Chiefs are heading into NCAA Season 101 with a sense of renewal, putting their trust in team chemistry and the continuity of their core group.

After finishing 7-11 (7th place) in Season 100, the Chiefs know they have a ground to cover, but with a more seasoned lineup and improved unity, they believe they can break deeper into the postseason picture. 

Third-year head coach Chico Manabat retains the bulk of his key players. Mainstays Basti Valencia, T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Ernjay Geronimo return with valuable experience, while CJ Libang is expected to fill the void left by the departure of defensive anchor Lorenz Capulong. 

Surrounding them is a deep pool of contributors, Renzo Abiera, Anthony Borromeo, Leyton Buenaventura, Yuan Camay, Anjord Cabotaje, Dominic Dayrit, Girbaud Demetria, Joseph Hernal, Matthew Langit, Dre Miller, Andrei Acop, Kyle Anama, and Joseph Espiritu, all hungry to make their mark.

Season 101 introduces a fresh structure: teams are split into two groups, with the top three from each side advancing to the crossover quarterfinals. The top two squads earn the luxury of a twice-to-beat advantage.

Arellano landed in Group A together with Lyceum, Mapúa, San Sebastian, and Perpetual. Every game in this grouping is expected to be tightly contested, meaning the Chiefs can’t afford slow starts or wasted opportunities.

The Chiefs have shown flashes of promise before, stealing wins against heavyweights like San Beda, Lyceum, and College of Saint Benilde last season. Now, they must turn those isolated victories into consistent results. 

To do that, several things need to align:

Establish a Defensive Identity – With Capulong gone, the frontline must rely on collective rebounding and paint protection. Libang’s growth as an inside presence will be vital.

Spread the Scoring Load – Veterans like Valencia and Ongotan will lead, but role players have to provide steady contributions to avoid over-reliance on a few names.

Bench Depth as a Weapon – Players like Buenaventura, Borromeo, and Demetria could tilt close games by providing valuable minutes off the bench.

Learn to Close Games – Tight endgame situations cost the Chiefs in Season 100. Better decision-making and execution in crunch time could be the difference in their group standings.

The Chiefs aren’t being tagged as championship favorites this year, but they’re far from being overlooked. With a stable core, developing frontline, and a system that emphasizes chemistry and familiarity, Arellano is positioning itself as a potential dark horse in Season 101.

If their veterans can lead with consistency and their younger players rise to the occasion, a semifinal appearance—and maybe even a Cinderella run—could be within reach.