The Arellano University Chiefs utilized everyone in their lineup in steamrolling the hapless Lyceum of the Philippines University, 97-83, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Chiefs starters quickly blaster the Pirates as they immediately opened with a huge rally. Dioncee Holts feasted on the lifeless Lyceum-defense in converting on jumpshots from all over the floor. Moreover, Jio Jalalon slashed through he lanes to grab fouls in scoring 7 first half points. The Arellano bench continued to pound the Pirates as anyone Coach Jerry Condinera brought in demolished the Lyceum defense. In the first half, the quintet of David Ortegam Kent Salado, John Zamora, and Zach Nicholls combined for 17 points. The only bright for the Pirates was Jean Nguidjol with 10 points but had no support from his teammates. The Arellano Chiefs led 47-32 over the Lyceum Pirates entering the second half.
The Chiefs continued their shoot at a higher clip in the second half as Jalalon, Holts, and Gumaru bullied their opponents. The Chiefs shot 54% from the field in the game, majority coming from the inside. Moreover, the lack of ball movement doomed the Pirates. As a team, the Topex Robinson-mentored squad only had nine assists for the game.
Things got chippy for both sides as Shaq Alanes was thrown out of the game due to a disqualifying foul. With 7.5 seconds to go in the third quarter, Alanes slapped the shoulder of a driving Donald Gumaru that resulted to the foul. Coach Topex Robinson, in disgust of what Alanes did, screamed at Alanes and was heard saying, “tambak na tayo, gumagawa ka pa ng walang kahiyaan.” Nichole Bangga, later on, was also called for an unsportsmanlike foul against Nguidjol but was not thrown out of the game.
Wilson Baltazar, MJ Ayaay, and Edcord Marata made the score a little more respectable. Kent Salado provided the finishing touches for the game to give Arellano their third straight win, 97-83.
“Na-control namin yung game from start to finish,” Coach Jerry Condinera said after the game. Moreover, he pushes his boys to never take anyone lightly. “Nandun lagi na ma-conscious since natalo yung Letran sa EAC. Sabi ko mahirap, baka mangyari sa amin. Kaya lagi ko sinasabi sa mga players na stick to basics,” he added.
Smart Elite ambassador Jio Jalalon had 18 points and shot 60% from the field. He added four rebounds, five dimes, and a steal. The best statline for the day, however, belongs to fellow Cagayan de Oro-native Kent Salado. Salado filled up the stat sheets with 9 points,3 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.
The Lyceum Pirates were led by Wilson Baltazar’s 19 points and MJ Ayaay’s 16. Victor Nguidjol, after scoring 10 first half points, scored just 7 in the second half while also grabbing 7 boards.
The Arellano Chiefs (9-4) look to extend their win streak to four against the San Sebastian Stags on Friday, September 11 at 4:00pm while the Lyceum Pirates (3-9) face the Mapua Cardinals on the same day at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (97) – Jalalon 18, Holts 16, Gumaru 14, Ortega 11, Salado 9, Zamora 8, Bangga 6, Cadavis 5, Meca 4, Nicholls 4, Enriquez 2, Capara 0, Ongolo-ongolo 0, Tano 0.
LPU (83) – Baltazar 19, Ayaay 16, Nguidjol 13, Marata 10, Bulawan 8, Lugo 4, Alanes 3, Malabanan 2, Soliman 2, Lacastesantos 2, Mbida 2, Elmejrab 2, Sunga 0.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 47-32, 75-54, 97-83.
