Winding up in the top half of the standings and actually having a chance to crack the Final 4 in the Season 85 campaign, Arellano University showed the entire NCAA that newcomers don’t necessarily make for easy fodder. These Chiefs, formerly the Flaming Arrows, were after all an NCRAA powerhouse who won a couple of titles not too long ago. Behind the wondrously talented trio of swingman Alfie Martinez, forward Lee More Boliver, guard Jordan Melanio and forward-center Orlando Daroya, Arellano was the epitome of hardcore hoop greatness. That they were also beating better-known college teams in the various offseason tournaments only added to their legend. When they came to the NCAA last year everybody expected great things from the program and they did not disappoint.

Forward-center Giorgio Ciriacruz was selected to the Season 85 Mythical 5 after leading the Chiefs with a near double-double average. He showed one and all that not all the good players were in the big programs. He got plenty of help from a solid support crew that played fast-attack basketball and busted out on the early offense at every opportunity. They played strong on-ball defense from the three-quarter court and dogged the handler and jammed passing lanes to maximize their quick hands and fleet feet. It was always a challenge trying to get one against Arellano. Ciriacruz is no longer with the Chiefs, as is slam-dunking swingman Jerry Miranda. Both were vital cogs last season and will be missed.

There are still a few solid veterans left to carry the fight for Arellano though. Chief among these veterans are a pair of multi-skilled swingmen who should become the new leaders of the team: Andrian Celada, a 6-foot-4 swingman who can also see some time at both forward spots and Giorgio’s younger brother Isaiah Ciriacruz, a 6-foot-2 swingman, who also plays some 1 in a tall lineup will spearhead the Chiefs. Celada is probably the most underrated player in college basketball today. He is highly skilled, long, lean and athletic and could have easily wound up in a bigger program. The younger Ciriacruz is literally an image model for Arellano, as he is also on the various billboards advertising the hotel and restaurant program of the school. He is a slightly shorter version of Celada but is also a better passer and handler who helps advance the ball against pressure and can break down defenses with his dribble-drive. 5-foot-9 combo-guard Jon Virtudazo and the highly popular Bimbot Anquilo, all of 4-foot-11 in his sneakers, also return to shore up the perimeter.

Up front the Chiefs must certainly wish that African import Chris Mammi could already play this season, as the highly athletic 6-foot-7 African can rule both boards. As things stand, most of the frontline chores will fall on the shoulders of 6-foot-5 center-forward Ed Rivera. Rivera is yet another underrated player. He plays the 4 and 5 spots and can fill the lanes in transition unlike other more conventional big men. He should get some help from chunky 6-foot-3 center-forward Noy Zulueta, undersized vertically but more than making up for it with his 220-pound mass. Coming in from their own high school team, Prince Caperal should also see a few minutes at the 4 and 5 spots. Caperal is legitimately 6-foot-6 with good shoulders but is raw and tentative.

As for the Baby Chiefs, it promises to be a tough season for them with Caperal now moving up to the senior division. Two young lads with dynamic games should help them through, 5-foot-7 guard Jon Gamaru and 5-foot-9 swingman Toy Bustamante.