NCAA Season 93 Preview: Arellano Chiefs | ABS-CBN

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NCAA Season 93 Preview: Arellano Chiefs

NCAA Season 93 Preview: Arellano Chiefs

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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Lervin Flores (26) will be one of the players to watch for Arellano University in Season 93. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – The post-Jiovani Jalalon era starts for the Arellano University Chiefs, and the keys to the bus have been given to Kent Salado.

Season 92 record: 14-4

Season 92 summary: Bannered by two of the best guards in the collegiate ranks, the Arellano Chiefs were tabbed as contenders in the NCAA Season 92 tournament, and for the most part, they lived up to the hype.

With Jiovani Jalalon turning in an MVP-caliber season and Kent Salado providing ample back-up, Arellano marched to the Finals of the Season 92 tournament, where they faced off against San Beda College.

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Their run ended there, however, as the Chiefs' high-octane backcourt was neutralized by the San Beda press. The Red Lions swept Arellano in the Finals to reclaim the NCAA crown that they lost in Season 91.

Key losses: Jiovani Jalalon, Donald Gumaru

Key returnees: Kent Salado, Lervin Flores

Projection: Losing a player of Jio Jalalon's caliber is nothing to scoff at, and the Chiefs spent most of the preseason trying to adjust. Salado, who spent the past two seasons in Jalado's shadow, established himself as Arellano's new No. 1 option, even tallying some near triple-doubles.

However, the Chiefs do not have a clear-cut No. 2 option behind Salado. They no longer have a foreign student-athlete in Season 93 to lean on, and the athletic forward Lervin Flores remains a force defensively, but is limited as a scorer.

Finding another go-to scorer outside of Salado will be crucial for the Chiefs if they hope to reach the same heights that they did in Season 93. Otherwise, the pressure will be squarely on Salado's shoulders. While Salado insists that he is ready for the challenge, he also hopes that his teammates will step up for their squad.

In their own words: "Last year, andoon 'yung Jalalon. Ngayon, okay lang naman sa akin kahit ganito. Sana 'yung iba, maisip nila na wala na 'yung Jalalon para mag-step up na sila. Madami din namang bago at marunong din naman silang maglaro. Kailangan lang talaga na mag-step up 'yung mga bago." – Kent Salado.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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