Arellano ready to make noise in coming NCAA season

MANILA, Philippines – Win after win, Arellano coach Koy Banal knows his team is getting the attention of its league rivals in the NCAA.

And more attention only translates to one thing.

“This only means one thing, they will be ready for us this coming NCAA Season,” said Banal after the Chiefs easily beat Jose Rizal University, 83-67, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.

“We’re 4-0 against NCAA teams that’s what James Forrester told us. Being the team captain, that’s his reason why we wanted to win because we want to dominate against NCAA teams,” added Banal.

Arellano, which already made the quarterfinal round of the preseason tourney, has also beaten Perpetual Help, College of St. Benilde and just last Wednesday took down reigning NCAA champion San Beda.

“NCAA will be a different story but it’s good because it’s morale boosting. Since basketball is a game of confidence and we needed that for a team who was 6-12 last season, we needed that.”

Banal also said that his team would be more than prepared for the pressure that comes with winning.

“It’s my reminder to everyone that anyone can feel pressure. We welcome that. It only means that we’re gaining respect. We just have to do a good job in controlling our emotions and preparing our minds game in and game out because it’s not going to be easy.”

“We still need to practice well. Just like the last time when we practiced and won against San Beda, we felt that we had just won the championship. When we didn’t practice well, Coach got mad at us so we still need to work on it,” Pinto said in Filipino.