Arellano University is catching fire, making it one of the hottest teams entering the final stretch of the preliminaries of Season 101 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.  

Chiefs coach Chico Manabat lauded the effort of his wards, saying that their four-game winning run at the end of preliminaries is the result of their hard work and relentless pursuit of excellence throughout the season. 

Arellano has been unstoppable lately. After winning only thrice in their first nine games, the Chiefs sizzled, going on a four-game winning run that was highlighted by a masterful 62-58 win over reigning champion Mapua University that gave them a twice-to-beat edge going into the quarterfinals.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time. Maybe those kids, with the combination of pushes from the preparation, are very eager to win,” Manabat told DAILY TRIBUNE after slaying the heavily-favored Cardinals on Friday afternoon.

“Maybe with the right preparation and the will, we can finish a good game. That’s the most important thing. We finish stronger.” 

But the road to the title will not be easy. Before making a deep run, the Chiefs have to overcome a very dangerous Letran College side, where Manabat used to be an assistant coach under mentor Jeff Napa.

“I have an opportunity to fight (the team) where I come from,” Manabat said, vowing to prepare hard to pull off what could be the biggest upset of this year.

Still, regardless of what happens, Manabat and the Chiefs have already overachieved, especially since they are coming off a 7-11 record last year.