MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University has done it again in the second round of the NCAA Season 91 basketball tourney by making a huge statement against the defending champion San Beda College on Thursday, October 1, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Chiefs drubbed the erstwhile league-leader Red Lions with a 91-72 shutout to boost Arellano’s campaign and enter the semi-final phase by improving to an 11-6 record and tying with University Perpetual Help System Dalta and Jose Rizal University at third place in the team standings.
Like in the Jerry Codiñera-mentored brigade’s first encounter with San Beda on August 19, Jiovani Jalalon’s star shined the brightest with stellar numbers as he finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and two steals to help Arellano break its two-game losing skid.
“I told the team before game that this is their last chance. Our last two losses really took a toll against us. I’m just so happy that their character was carried well in this game and they weren’t disheartened,” Codiñera stated in the post-game interview.
In addition, Jalalon registered 11 of his 25 baskets in the first quarter to give the Legarda-based squadron a 27-18 cushion entering the second canto.
“His teammates know how to handle the lead, but he really stabilized it,” Codiñera said of Jalalon.
As Codiñera opted to sit Jalalon to start the second half, San Beda was able to pick up the pace in the third quarter and trim the 11-point deficit by 50-54, but his re-entry sparked a 19-6 blitz that ballooned the Arellano leverage to 73-56 going to the contest’s final frame.
Aside from Jalalon, four other Arellano players were also in double figures as Allen Enriquez added 15 markers and Brylle Ivan Meca contributed 11 buckets, while Dioncee Holts and Michael Salado had 10 each.
On the other hand, Ola Adeogun amassed 17 points to lead San Beda, which downgraded to a 12-5 slate.
Scores:
Arellano (91) - Jalalon 25, Enriquez 15, Meca 11, Holts 10, Salado 10, Gumaru 9, Cadavis 6, Nicholls 5, Capara 0, Bangga 0, Ongolo-ongolo 0, Ortega 0, De Guzman 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0
San Beda (72) - Adeogun 17, Dela Cruz 10, Mocon 8, Soberano 7, Koga 6, Tankoua 6, Tongco 6, Amer 4, Reyes 2, Bonsubre 2, Presbitero 2, Solera 2, Cabanag 0
Quarter scores: 27-18, 48-37, 73-56, 91-72 – Rappler.com