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Hard work, luck lead to success for Arellano's 'Mini Bus Driver'

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/10/17/levi-dela-cruz-2017-101717.jpg"/><figcaption>Arellano&#x27;s Levi dela Cruz (16) prepares to shoot against Mapua. Josh Albelda, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University&#x27;s &quot;Bus Driver,&quot; Jiovani Jalalon, left after NCAA Season 92. Their &quot;Conductor,&quot; Kent Salado, went down with an injury with two games left in Season 93.Enter Levi dela Cruz.After playing in the shadow of Salado for most of Season 93, dela Cruz has proven himself capable of leading the Chiefs in their final contests of the elimination round while their ace player is dealing with a knee injury.In Arellano&#x27;s must-win game against Mapua University on Tuesday, dela Cruz contributed 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, along with three rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just under 30 minutes of playing time. With him pulling the strings, the Chiefs cruised to an 81-64 win and secured a playoff for a spot in the Final 4.&quot;For a rookie, (he&#x27;s been) outstanding. I think he&#x27;s our third best player,&quot; Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera said of the 5-foot-9 dela Cruz. &quot;I hope he will continue.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2017/10/17/chiefs-secure-playoff-last-semis-berth-32370">READ: Chiefs secure playoff for last semis berth</a></li></ul>Codiñera stressed that there are areas that dela Cruz needs to improve on – shot selection, defense, maturity. Yet the diminutive guard has been so impressive in their past few games that Codiñera saw it fit to compare him to perhaps the most celebrated player in Arellano&#x27;s history.&quot;He can see the floor. Parang he&#x27;s a mini version ni Jalalon. The Mini Bus Driver,&quot; said Codiñera.&quot;The Coaster,&quot; dela Cruz interjected, laughing.Dela Cruz, for his part, shrugged off comparisons to Jalalon, and with obvious reason. A string of three good games is no match for the body of work that Jalalon compiled in Arellano, which included a couple of Mythical Team selections and two finals appearances.&quot;Nacha-challenge naman po ako pag ginaganoon po ako ni Coach Jerry, lalong-lalo na po pag nagkakamali ako. Lagi niya po akong kino-correct. Nakikinig lang po ako sa kanya, at ginagawa kop o &#x27;yung best para &#x27;yung pagkakamali na &#x27;yun, maitama ko po sa mga next game namin,&quot; said dela Cruz.Rather than dwelling on comparisons to Jalalon, dela Cruz said he will instead focus on doing the things that has led him to success.&quot;Extra effort pa po talaga sa training namin, kasi &#x27;yun nga po, doon naman po tayo nag-uumpisa lahat eh,&quot; said dela Cruz. &quot;Ang sa akin lang po, talagang mage-extra (work) lang na mage-extra, para read po ako lagi.&quot;This also includes listening not just to Codiñera, but also to Salado and Jalalon whenever they offer him advice.&quot;&#x27;Yung mga advice nila Kent sa akin, nila Kuya Jio, talagang pinapakinggan ko lang po talaga sila,&quot; dela Cruz said earnestly.Other than hard work, dela Cruz is also relying on a bit of luck so he can continue his strong play.&quot;Kung ano po &#x27;yung mga ginagamit ko noong nag-best player ako, noong maganda &#x27;yung laro ko, &#x27;yun pa rin po (ang suot ko),&quot; he admitted.&quot;Pero nilalabhan ko naman po!&quot; he quickly added.Even his jersey number has brought him good fortune. Dela Cruz wears No. 16 -- Salado&#x27;s old number – though for the guard, there&#x27;s another reason that led him to choose it.&quot;Etong jersey number po, nagkataon din po na anniversary din po ng mommy at daddy ko, wedding anniversary din nila,&quot; he explained. &quot;So malaking bagay din po.&quot;Dela Cruz is now banking on that combination of hard work and luck to keep him going, as the Chiefs gear up for another must-win game on Friday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which they have yet to beat in Season 93.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

After playing in the shadow of Kent Salado for most of Season 93, Levi dela Cruz has proven himself capable of leading the Arellano Chiefs in their final contests of the elimination round while their ace player is dealing with a knee injury.

After playing in the shadow of Kent Salado for most of Season 93, Levi dela Cruz has proven himself capable of leading the Arellano Chiefs in their final contests of the elimination round while their ace player is dealing with a knee injury.

Hard work, luck lead to success for Arellano's 'Mini Bus Driver'

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Hard work, luck lead to success for Arellano's 'Mini Bus Driver'

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 17, 2017 08:13 PM PHT

Read More:

NCAA

basketball

Levi dela Cruz

Arellano Chiefs

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