More than the physical preparation, Arellano University will be focusing on the mental when it squares off with University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100.
The Chiefs (3-8), who are coming off an emotional game over Lyceum of the Philippines University last Saturday, will take on the ALTAs (5-7) at 2:30 p.m. while slumping Colegio de San Juan de Letran (6-6) and San Sebastian College-Recoletos (3-9) lock horns at 11 a.m.
The Chiefs did win in their last game, but it was a victory marred with late-game misfortunes after LPU wingman JM Bravo fell unconscious after an unintentional hit to his face against Arellano's Renzo Abiera with eight seconds left in the game.
But Arellano head coach Chico Manabat, who stressed that no one wanted the incident to happen, said they have to move on and set their focus on their next game as they look to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
"Ngayon one game at a time, sabi namin, gusto namin na bawian namin ‘yung mga tumalo sa amin. Magpe-prepare kami versus Perps and sana magawa namin ‘yung tama," Arellano head coach Chico Manabat said.
[We're taking it one game at a time. We said we wanted to get back at the teams that beat us. We'll prepare for the game versus Perps and hope we'll do it right.]
And all eyes will be on big man JL Capulong, who dominated for a huge career game against the Pirates, pouring in 30 points alongside 16 rebounds, one block, one assist, and one steal to lead the 91-86 win.
"Kami ang iniisip lang namin, kung sino man makaharap namin sa next game namin is paghahandaan na lang namin. Diyan na rin gagana ‘yung about mental determination kung paano namin tatapusin ‘yung remaining games namin."
[For us, whoever we face in our next game, we'll prepare for them. That's where mental determination comes in, how we'll finish our remaining games.]
In the first game, two skidding teams hoping to revive their playoff chances will be on a collision course.
Letran, which was once on a promising run in the first round, has suddenly found itself in a dangerous three-game losing skid after bowing to Lyceum, Perpetual, and Mapua to open the second round and go 6-6.
The Knights are now in all-important games ahead of them, but so are the Stags.
San Sebastian is coming off a narrow 101-94 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College where big man TJ Felebrico shone with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist while Reggz Gabat dropped 21 markers in the loss.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
