Naturally, a team would want its best players on the floor during a pivotal juncture of the game. Arellano University, though, wanted to see it in a different way.
The Chiefs' second-year coach Chico Manabat knew Perpetual's defense would be focused on their top player right now in Lorenz Capulong, who is averaging 12.23 points, 5.92 rebounds, 0.92 blocks, and 1.08 steals.
They did field the 6-foot-6 bruiser, but not in the fourth quarter that saw the Chiefs break free from the ALTAs and overcome a double-digit deficit on the way to a 66-59 victory on Tuesday.
As it turns out, that was all part of Manabat's and his coaching staff's strategy.
"Actually ‘yan ‘yung pina-practice namin so intense talaga ‘yung fourth quarter namin and lahat, pati ‘yung rotation ng tao namin, ‘yun ‘yung binago namin," Manabat said.
"Si Capulong, nakita niyo nasa labas, kasi alam na namin eh na nando’n lahat sa kanya ‘yung attention. So pinakita lang namin siya sa first half then tinanggal na namin sa second half."
With no Capulong manning the paint for the Chiefs, the rest of the squad stepped up big time as they turned back the gasping ALTAs.
Arellano held Perpetual to just four points in the payoff period while they put together 18 markers, limiting the opponents to a dismal 1-of-14 shooting from the field in that period alone.
Leading the fourth quarter barrage was T-mc Ongotan, who dropped six of his overall output in that frame while EJ Geronimo and Renzo Abiera chipped in four each.
However, Manabat refused to take the credits all to himself, saying their game plan was manufactured by his deputy and was executed well by the players as they boosted their Final Four hopes.
"This is my experience na nag-back-to-back kami, alam n'yo na we're at the bottom pero salute to my coaches and my players and ‘yung preparation talaga namin medyo matindi and magagaling ‘yung mga coaches ko eh kaya may nangyaring maganda."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
