Jalalon, Arellano target seventh win in a row

REIGNING National Collegiate Athletic Association player of the week Jio Jalalon and his Arellano Chiefs go for their seventh consecutive win and a share of the top spot today as they take on the Emilio Aguinaldo Collge Generals in the main game today at the Fil- Oil Arena in San Juan City.

Set for 4 p.m., the Chiefs (9-2), winners of their last six games, try to extend their streak to fortify their push for a top two finish as well as pull abreast with the league-leading San Beda Red Lions (10-2) at the top of the standings.

Jalalon, one of the front-runners for the most valuable player award this season, has been taking charge for the Legarda-based dribblers, averaging 25 points, 7.5 assists, four rebounds and a steal in their last two contests, meriting him the award which he already won earlier in the season.

And the value of what Jalalon is doing is not lost to his team, which looks to him as its floor leader.

“He makes life easier for us,” said Arellano’s American center Dioncee Holts, himself on a roll of late.

Despite their current success, Jalalon said work still needs to be done and that they have to maintain their go-getting mind-set to accomplish their goals.

“I’m happy with the way things are going for our team. We have won six straight but we still have a lot of work to do to achieve what we have set out for this season,” said Gilas cadet member Jalalon.

Out to clip Arellano’s streak is Emilio Aguinaldo College (3-8), who has lost its last two games.

The Generals’ latest defeat came at the hands of San Beda, 90-82.

Forward Sydney Onwubere had a monster game of 19 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and a steal for EAC despite the loss. Import Hamadou Laminou had 18 points.

Meanwhile, seeing action in the 2 p.m. game are the Perpetual Help Altas (8-3) taking on stillwinless College of St. Benilde Blazers (0-11). —