With seven players ending their collegiate career at the end of the season, the Arellano Chiefs are hard-pressed to make the most of their first finals appearance against San Beda in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament.
While the defending champion Red Lions are burdened by expectation, the Chiefs are also feeling the pressure, haunted by the thought that they may never come this close to winning the title again.
The Lions and Chiefs start their best-of-three title series on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The likes of John Pinto, Prince Caperal, Keith Agovida, Ralph Salcedo and Charles Palma are playing in their final year of eligibility and would love nothing less than to give the school a title in only its first year of regular membership since joining the league in 2009.
“We are aware that the team will change and we may never get the chance (to come this close) to a title,” said Arellano rookie coach Jerry Codiñera. “We didn’t expect to get this far because the league is very competitive.”
San Beda is gunning for an eighth title in nine years and a fifth straight crown. But Codiñera said the Chiefs are also out to make history of their own.
“Being in the finals is a dream come true for all of us and I told the players to enjoy the moment and seize the opportunity,” he said.