MANILA – Arellano University Chiefs netted another big fish as it scored a 72-69 victory over Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball on Sunday at the Filoil Ecooil Center in San Juan.
Trailing 43-55 midway in the third quarter, the Chiefs went on a huge 27-5 scoring run behind Cade Flores, Darrell Shane Menina and Joshua Abastillas to take a 69-60 advantage.
The Knights, however, made its last push to cut the deficit to 69-72 and even had a chance to force an extension period but Kurt Reyson misfired his last minute three-point attempt.
Rookie Flores finished the game with 18 points and nine rebounds as the Chiefs recorded its second consecutive victory to move up to solo second place in the standings with 3-1 slate.
Doromal and Wilmar Oftaan chipped in 14 and 13 markers, respectively, Abastillas had 10 markers, with eight coming in their spirited run, while Menina had 10 assists and seven points for Arellano.
“Napakasarap maglaro kapag kalaban mo defending champion, yung malalakas na teams, dun lalabas ang mga laro niyo. Sunod lang kayo kung ano yung sistema, baka sakaling manalo,” Arellano head coach Cholo Martin said.
Louie Sangalang had a monster double-double for Letran with 19 points and 16 rebounds, King Caralipio chipped in 16 points and 13 boards as the defending champions Knights dropped to 1-1.
In the second game, San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags (2-1) survived a late run by the Mapua University Cardinals (1-2) to escape with a thrilling 57-56 victory.
With the Stags up 57-53 with a full minute remaining, Mapua’s Juaqui Garcia buried a triple to cut the lead down to one. The Cardinals had multiple opportunities to steal the win but misfired with their attempts.
Rommel Calahat tallied double-double 17 points and 17 rebounds, Kenneth Villapando got eight rebounds, seven points, and two blocks while Jessie Sumoda also added seven points for the Stags.
BOX SCORE:
ARELLANO 72 – Flores 18, Doromal 14, Oftana 13, Abastillas 10, Menina 7, Talampas 4, Mantua 2, Mallari 2, Sunga 2, Tolentino 0, Oliva 0.
LETRAN 69 – Sangalang 19, Caralipio 16, Paraiso 8, Yu 8, Javillonar 8, Santos 3, Guarino 3, Ariar 2, Reyson 2, Olivario 0, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Miclat 0, Lantaya 0.
Quarterscores: 12-11; 30-34; 47-56; 72-69./PN
