Arellano U continues to live up to its lofty billing as a genuine title contender in the 92nd NCAA seniors basketball tourney, winning its last six games in convincing fashion to stay hot on the heels of pace-setting San Beda.
And there’s nobody among the Chiefs more pleased to see them sustain their dominant form than rejuvenated American center Dioncee Holts.
“We’re coming together day-by-day,” said the 6-foot-6 Holts on Friday night following Arellano U’s trouble-free 78-69 victory over slumping St. Benilde to extend the league’s hottest winning streak to six at The Arena in San Juan City.
Holts, a former Rookie of the Year awardee, displayed another revitalized performance against the Blazers as he pumped in a double-double effort of 12 points and as many rebounds while taking turns with prized playmaker Jiovani Jalalon in setting the stage for the Blazers’ wire-to-wire win, their ninth overall in 11 starts, staying full-game behind the Red Lions (10-1).
“Like I said, with our preparations and everybody’s serious in practice and when they come to the game, they listen and stay focused,” added the American big man. “I think our preparation was really, really good. We came together especially our bench.”
The way the 5-foot-10 Jalalon has been serving as the consistent force behind the Chiefs also motivates Holts to do the same.
“When Jiovani goes hard, I cannot let him down. Game in, game out, I’m trying to give my all every time. I’m leaving it all on the court,” he said.
While they’re encouraged to achieve the longest winning streak in school history since Arellano U joined the NCAA in 2009, Holts added he wants to help the Chiefs realize more modest goals, including making a return trip to the Final Four after missing it last year.
“I’m really focused right now,” he stressed. “Last year, I really don’t know. I feel like I let everybody down. This year, I’m trying to keep my team in a position not to lose but to win every game. That’s why I’m leaving it all on the court. I know that’s what Jiovani, Salado and everyone else are gonna do.”
Jalalon, who scattered a team-high 17 points in the Chiefs’ repeat win over the Blazers, said he likes what he’s been seeing from his teammates but added they still don’t have enough reason to be complacent.
“Masaya ako sa mga teammates ko kasi maganda ‘yung itinatakbo ng team namin. Naka-six (straight) wins kami pero hindi pa sapat ‘yun. Marami pa kaming gagawin para mapunta kami sa goal namin,” stressed the Cagayan de Oro City native. – By Jerome Lagunzad
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