After ending their NCAA Season 100 first round campaign on a high note, the Arellano Chiefs said they are just trusting the process.
The Chiefs last Friday took down league-leading De La Salle-College of Benilde, 73-71, and ended the first half of the elimination round with a 3-6 card.
It may have taken them five games to barge into the win column, but the Chiefs, in their ongoing run, have also slain another giant in San Beda University, and another scrappy team in San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
For Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat, however, the journey of the team is as important as their desired destination.
"Ang pinakamaganda doon, 'yung mga lesson namin sa talo namin. Kung nananalo kami, bonus na lang 'yun," Manabat said.
"Ang pinakaimportante kasi 'yung prosesong dinadaanan ng team. Suwerte kami doon kasi nadaanan na namin. Maybe sa second round, baka ibang-iba na to kasi baka sabay-sabay na 'to pumutok."
While other teams also praised the Chiefs' grit in their games, Manabat said they are still developing.
"Kami siguro nagpapahinog pa. In time. Siguro ito na, unti-unti naming nae-experience ups and downs namin and hanggang dun na lang kami muna."
One of Arellano's reliables in Ernjay Geronimo, meanwhile, hopes they peak just in time in the second round.
"Mas pagbutihin pa po namin kasi sa dami ng lessons namin sa first round, sana po mag-peak kami sa second round. Sana mag-peak."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
