Arellanio is getting a major facelift with Chico Manabat taking over the basketball program.
The school formally welcomed the champion coach as he immediately buckled down to work on Thursday for his first practice at the helm.
“Malaking karangalan para sa akin ito na pinagkatiwalaan ako ng Arellano sa programa nila. Isa lang yung gusto natin, na maibalik ang Chiefs sa mga contenders sa NCAA,” he said, agreeing to a long-term deal with school executives led by president Francisco Paulino Cayco and vice president for marketing Val Cayco.
Manabat, 44, is coming off a perfect season with the Centro Escolar University and led the Scorpions to the UCBL crown.
“Different league ito kaya mas masusubukan yung capabilities ko. Pero same pa rin, dadalhin ko dito yung beliefs and system na nagpanalo sa atin sa CEU para mas mapadali yung rebuild natin dito,” he said.
Manabat was a former NU Bulldog back in his playing days and previously handled head coaching positions for the NU Nazareth School Bullpups and Grace Christian College while also being the longtime deputy of coach Jeff Napa in Letran.
He replaces Cholo Martin at the helm in the seniors team after Arellano ended with a 7-11 win-loss record this past NCAA Season 98.
