Arellano a ‘team to beat’ in NCAA 89

MANILA, Philippines – After turning heads in the preseason, Arellano head coach Koy Banal know the Chiefs now have a big target on their backs.

True enough, most coaches see the Chiefs as a team to beat in the coming NCAA Season 89, alongside obvious choice San Beda, which is gunning for its fourth straight championship.

“From coaches to players. Almost everything is new but the team to beat will still be San Beda but aside from them, Arellano,” said Letran head coach Caloy Garcia, one of five debuting coaches in this season.

Even the Red Lions’ Boyet Fernandez picked the Chiefs as the team capable of winning it all.

“Arellano (is a team to beat). They were ahead of us in the standings in the Filoil. But rest assured we will be ready,” said Fernandez in a press conference held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday.

Banal, whose team made noise in the Filoil finishing 6-2 in the tournament with one of those wins coming at the expense of San Beda, returned the favor to Fernandez but truth be told the pressure is high for Arellano.

“We are expecting to be in the Final Four but it will depend on how we’re able to perform,” said Banal.