Perpetual, Arellano down NCAA rivals
Games Tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan) 2 p.m. – Mapua vs San Sebastian 4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs San Beda
Jiovanni Jalalon, the crafty guard of Arellano University, produced another stellar game but this time he made sure that the Chiefs would emerge victorious.
In a follow up to his 36-point explosion the last time, Jalalon scattered 20 points to help the Chiefs score an 86-82 win over the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Putting their controversial 114-112 double overtime loss to the Jose Rizal University behind, Jalalon highlighted his performance with a jaw-dropping cross over which resulted into a basket to give the Chiefs an 84-76 lead with over a minute left in the game.
Though the Blazers managed to move to within 84-80 through the effort of Jonathan Grey, time was obviously not on their side.
For good measure, Jalalon finished them off with two more free throws to seal the win for the Chiefs who improved to a 7-4 win-loss mark.
In the other game, University of Perpetual Help got back to its winning ways by trouncing Lyceum, 70-42, to raise to its win-loss mark to 8-3.
GJ Ylagan broke out of his slump as he buried five triples for 15 points, providing the Altas the much-needed firepower.
The win was a huge relief for Perpetual Coach Aric del Rosario after absorbing a shock 70-65 defeat to the Mapua Cardinals last Friday.
Four of those threes came in the second quarter where the Altas pulled away for good, taking a commanding 40-20 advantage at halftime.
The Blazers were actually in control of the game, taking a 4942 lead midway through the third frame. They were still up, 60-55, heading into the payoff period all thanks to their red-hot shooting from beyond the arc.
The Blazers made 15 of 31 attempts from downtown but that those were not enough to slow down the Chiefs who exploded for 31 points in the final 10 minutes.
Jalalon 29, Holts 15, Enriquez 14, Salado 12, Nicholls 11, Gumaru 11, Bangga 2, Cadavis 1, Capara 0, Meca 0, De Guzman 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0.
Grey 22, JJ Domingo 16, Saavedra 14, Jonson 13, Nayve 9, Ongteco 5, Fajarito 2, Sta. Maria 1, Deles 0, Castor 0, San Juan 0.
Quarters: 16-22; 38-37; 55-60; 86-82.
Eze 18, Ylagan 15, Thompson 13, Dagangon 12, Akhuetie 6, Gallardo 3, Elopre 2, Tamayo 1, Oliveria 0, Dizon 0, Coronel 0, Pido 0.
Bulawan 13, Alanes 10, Baltazar 4, Lacastesantos 4, Ayaay 4, Nguidjol 3, Malabanan 2, Mbida 2, Sunga 0, Soliman 0, Marata 0, Taladua 0, Elmejrab 0.
Quarters: 17-11; 40-20; 50-35; 70-42.