ARELLANO University mentor Jerry Codiñera knows that he should link the missing pieces and rebuild the confidence of his team as they try to tie the best-of-three championship series against San Beda College in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season (NCAA) Season 92 seniors basketball.
The former pro league star lamented the late-game judgment and poor start of the Chiefs when they absorbed a stinging 85-88 defeat in Game One to the Red Lions three days ago to trail 0-1 in the Finals.
“We must start better and play better. We have to adjust sa type of play, pati sa familiarity ng game, siyempre championship na. Medyo nagkanya-kanya,” Codiñera said after the match that saw Arellano players weeping in tears and frustrations after their heartbreaking loss.
The Chiefs almost got the victory that should have ended their four-game losing skid to the Red Lions—two in the elimination round, and one apiece in the battle for the top seed and in the title series. A win may also be their first triumph against the Mendiola-based dribblers in the Finals after being swept in Season 90 in two games.
But the win did not materialize in Game One as the Chiefs gave in to the more composed side of San Beda, where Robert Bolick provided the heroics and the entire five on the floor shifting up the defense in end-game to break the hearts of Arellano.
Codiñera added that the decision of his trusted guard Jio Jalalon to pass the ball instead of going on his own deadly way in the waning moments of the match.
Trailing by just one, 85-86, after Bolick scored a quick lay-up with 10 ticks left, Jalalon looked to attack the rim but passed the ball to big man Dioncee Holts. Unfortunately, his long jumper rattled out, paving way for the Chiefs to foul Bolick who made the game-sealing free throws.
“We designed the play for Jio, but he changed it ‘nung sa atake na. Binigay niya kay Holts. Kampante sana ako kung si Jio ‘yung tumira,” Codiñera said.
The Chiefs head coach believes that they should forget the pain and focus on Game Two, which is set on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Nasaktan talaga ‘yung mga players. We’re almost there, but it didn’t happen,” he added.
A win for San Beda would bring them their ninth title in 11 seasons, and they may finish it without its center Donald Tankoau, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in August.