ALL season long, the Arellano University lived on the edge as consistency was never its biggest strength.
But the Chiefs strung together just enough timely wins not only to sneak into the playoffs, but somehow walk into the quarterfinals of the NCAA Season 101 armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
When expectations finally leaned their way, the jitters crept in.
“May jitters talaga,” head coach Chico Manabat admitted. “Nagulat sila sa level and the pressure.”
Despite bursting out to an 11-point lead in the opening quarter, the Chiefs collapsed under Letran’s pressure, allowing the Knights to claw back and eventually force a do-or-die after an 87-78 stunner on Wednesday.
READ: In-form Letran forces KO match vs. Arellano with dominant QFs win
For the mentor, it was a painful reminder of how fragile his team can be when the stakes are at the highest
“Letran is a champion team, talagang nandiyan yung piyesa na yan eh. Very talented yung Letran and salute din ako sa mga coaches nila sa preparation and then sa ginawa nila,” Manabat stressed.
“Sa amin naman, it’s a test of character dun sa game. Lalo na nandito tayo sa quarters papunta if ever makatagos ng semis. And siguro yan yung pagdadaanan namin,” he added.
The trembling hands showed evident in their cold shooting day as Arellano settled for 7-of-32 from deep - forced by Letran’s zone defense - to go with 19-of-33 from the charity line.
Above these numbers, it was also the intangibles that put them on the brink, the same issues that haunted them all season resurfaced right when they couldn’t afford them.
“Siguro dahil sa binibigay sa aming defense,” said the shot-caller.
“Nagkulang din kami sa effort. Yung wala sa stats, yun ang tinitingnan namin eh.”
For a team that wasn’t expected to be here, being in control of a playoff series seemed almost unfamiliar. And in that unfamiliarity came missteps.
“We’re small, we’re not the blue-chip group,” Manabat said. “May jitters talaga. Pero di naman yun excuse.”
Now, the twice-to-beat edge they fought so hard to get has shrunk to a one-game lifeline.
Instead of marching to the Final Four, they’re staring at a win-or-go-home showdown against a Letran team that seem to have their number throughout the season.
But Manabat refuses to panic. If anything, he sees Friday’s do-or-die as the moment his team can finally steady itself.
“No more tomorrows, never give in never back down. Kung ano yung binigay sa amin na chance, kailangan kunin namin.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
