First-round play of NCAA Season 94 ends today
FIRST-ROUND action in the elimination phase of Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association hits the end today with a double-header at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Season hosts Perpetual Help Altas (5-3) take on the Arellano Chiefs (3-5) at 2 p.m. while the defending champions San Beda Red Lions (7-1) will collide with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (26) at 4 p.m.
Losers in their previous assignments, both the Altas and Chiefs look to finish the opening round on a winning note and have something to build on heading into the second phase of classification.
Perpetual Help lost to the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 84-77, on Aug. 24 to fall a step behind and drop outside of the top four.
The Altas fought the Blazers toe-to-toe until main playmaker Edgar Charcos came down with a hyperextended right knee in the third quarter and was not able to finish the game.
Prince Eze tried to tow his team to the win with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks while Kim Aurin added 23 points but they were not enough to complete the task.
Perpetual Help with a win today ties St. Benilde and the Letran Knights for joint third place with a 6-3 card.
Arellano, meanwhile, tries to shake off back-to-back losses and finish the opening round just below the .500 mark.
The most recent of the Chiefs’ defeats came last Friday at the hands of San Beda, 9879, where Arellano was simple hard-pressed in stopping King Lion Robert Bolick who finished with 50 points.
Kept the game close up to the halftime break, down by just two points, 42-40, Arellano saw the game slip away from them as Bolick took charge with his offensive explosion.
The loss prevented the Chiefs from ending up with a 4-4 record and staring at a losing card midway into the season.
BOLICK
In the second game, Bolick looks to lead the Lions to back-to-back wins after absorbing their first loss of the season at the hands of the league-leading Lyceum Pirates.
The 50 points he had last time around against Arellano earned for Bolick co-player of the week honors with Letran’s Bong Quinto, who also had it stellar last week by averaging a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and, 10.5 assists in back-to-back wins.
“You can’t really compare Robert to anyone because his game is special in its own way,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez of his prized player.
Also making their presence felt in the last game were Javee Mocon and Donald Tankoua who combined for 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Out to stop the Lions are the Bombers, who have won two straight after opening their Season 94 campaign with six straight losses. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo