Arellano U proves mettle in NCRAA

Arellano University showed its high school program is a big plus as it smashed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 96-39, recently to jumpstart its title bid in the juniors division of the National Capital Region Athletic Association.

Kym Pagayunan paced the Junior Chiefs with 25 points while Erwin Catapang, Kim Balabao and Jerben Sagmit fired 15, 13 and 11 points, respectively, in a win that underscored Arellano’s main strength when it bids for a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Arellano board chair Francisco P.V. Cayco said they are banking on their high school program as key to their aspiration as the newest member of the 84-year-old league starting next year.

“We have a big grassroots program because our high school population is numbering more than 5,000,” said Cayco. “We’re using this as our base in identifying talents not just in sports but in academics as well.”

The Chiefs have branches in Mandaluyong, Pasig City, Malabon City, two in Pasay and on Legarda, Manila, where it houses over 1,500 high school students.

Val Cayco, the school’s marketing chief who also personally oversees the athletic program along with athletic director Leo Isaac, said they’re banking on their high school to edge out other applicants.

“Of the three most important factors for NCAA entry, we know we have an edge in one, which is our high school. As we all know, we have the biggest among the five applicants in this regard,” said the younger Cayco.

While emphasizing its secondary program. Cayco said they will not neglect the other two factors – one, requiring the applicant to pay an entrance amounting to about P7 million and the other requiring a mandatory participation in all sports events in the first three years as member.

“We are ready to comply with all the requirements,” said Cayco.