Arellano University veteran Basti Valencia is looking to go all out for the Chiefs in the last stretch of the eliminations in NCAA Season 100.
With De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Mapua University securing the first two spots in the semifinals, the battle for the remaining seats are heating up with Arellano trying to sneak their way back into the closely-contested Final Four race.
At the most crucial moment, the 22-year-old Valencia exploded for 25 points to tie his previous season-high performance that went with an all-around effort of five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in Arellano’s 81-77 escape against Jose Rizal University to improve with a 6-9 record on Tuesday.
As their journey continues, all the Arellano forward can hope is for him to sustain his form all the way through the eliminations, and, in turn, meet if not exceed Chico Manabat’s expectations of him.
“Tagal ko na kasing hinihintay ‘yung [big moments] tapos ngayon pumutok na ako. Dahil kay Coach Chico [Manabat] kasi grabe siya magbigay ng kumpiyansa. It’s either ‘yun ‘yung magbo-boost sa iyo or kakainin ka nung binibigay niya pag hindi ka nakapag-deliver,” Valencia said.
(I’ve waited for a very long time to explode in a game like today because of Coach Chico Manabat’s support. It’s either his support boosts your confidence or it eats away at you if you are unable to deliver.)
“Kailangan maging mature. Kailangan kong mabasa nang maayos ‘yung coverage sa akin kasi nung mga past games na walang napipiga sa akin masyado akong nagpipilit eh. Kailangan ko mag-mature,” he added.
(You need to be mature. I need to be able to read the opponent’s coverage against me since I haven’t played well in the past games. Everything I did felt forced. So I need to be more mature at this point of the tournament.)
For Manabat, seeing his wards thrive under his guidance is good enough for him despite having to deal with their off days where everything is not falling into place for them.
?
“Saludo ako sa bata. Minsan 'di ba on and off ‘yung laro niya, [I saw him before the game] nagtanong ako kung okay siya,” said Manabat.
(I salute this kid. Even if sometimes he has an on and off game. I saw him before the game and I asked him if he was okay. Everything seems to be going well.)
“Isa ‘yun sa ini-implement namin within the same and in building culture [to set aside distractions]. Kapag nag-commit ka rito sa team siyempre marami kang isa-sacrifice. So gabay kami sa kanila hindi namin inaalis ‘yung [personal choices] nila. Basta ‘yung focus nila should be all about the game,” he detailed.
(That is one of the things we’re trying to implement within the team and in building the culture which is to set aside distractions. When you commit to the team, you will sacrifice a lot of things. So we’re here to guide them but we’re not taking away their personal choices. For as long as their focus should be all about the game.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
