ARELLANO is reaping the rewards of its resurgent juniors team, with two Braves all set to become Chiefs for NCAA Season 102.
Ray Ladica and Aaron Manansala, both recognized as All-Stars in the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM, have committed to Arellano's seniors squad coached by Chico Manabat.
"Yes. At excited kaming makita na sila sa mga ensayo at laro namin," confirmed the veteran tactician, now heading into his fourth season in Legarda.
Ladica normed 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 assists, while Manansala had averages of 10.3 markers, 4.2 boards, and 1.2 dimes in the Braves' runner-up finish in Season 101.
Arellano's homegrown products
With that, Ladica, a 6-foot-1 wing, placed 11th in the NBTC's annual rankings of the top 24 under-19 prospects in the Philippines. Manansala, also a 6-1 wing, later joined him in the All-Star Game for his impressive showing in the National Finals.
The two, alongside the University of the Philippines-commit Sean Franco, led Arellano to resurgence in the juniors, where they last contended with the likes of Guillmer Dela Torre, Carlo Abadeza, and Aaron Fermin.
READ: UP adds another NCAA Juniors MVP in Arellano's Sean Franco
Now, Ladica and Manansala reinforce a roster still led by T-Mc Ongotan and Renzo Abiera, as they try to improve on a quarterfinals finish last season.
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