The Arellano University Chiefs have entered the NCAA Seniors Basketball Finals for the second time the last three years.
The Chiefs did not let up in a 92-80 routing of the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, Friday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
All-Philippine point guard Jio Jalalon once again flirted with a triple-double, stuffing the stat sheet with 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and three steals.
But it was the Arellano frontline that made the difference for the Chiefs as Arellano greatly outrebounded the Cardinals in the game, 60 to 46, that led to a 24 to 13 second chance points advantage. Moreover, crashing the boards gave Arellano an unheard-of 100 shot attempts in the game, converting on 40, to negate Mapua’s free throw advantage.
Lervin Flores woke up just at the right time dropping a career-high 22 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting clip while grabbing 10 rebounds and swatting away three shots. Dioncee Holts grabbed 10 rebounds in the game, while Kent Salado added nine, seven of which came from the offensive end.
“Sobrang saya ako na nag-step up ngayon ang mga big man namin,” Jalalon said.
During the third quarter, Mapua suffered a black eye, literally. With 9.8 seconds remaining in the third frame and Arellano holding a game-high 15 point lead, 65-50, King Cardinal CJ Isit, who is in his final year, tried to steal the ball from Holts but accidentally was hit by a backhand that resulted in a huge cut on his left eyebrow. He did not return to the game and finished his NCAA career with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
“Di mo mapredict kung sino ang dominating sa first three quarters. Mapua was always there,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera shared.
The Cardinals threatened with a late rally late in the game, as back-to-back conversions by Andrew Estrella, who is also in his final year, cut the lead to 81-74 with 2:41 left. That’s when Jalalon took charge, knocking down 10 straight points — answering every Mapua bucket. The lead once again grew to double-digits after the High Chief’s last bucket, 89-78.
“It’s 0-0 na sa lahat. Whoever is prepared and kung sino ready adjust agad, yun ang malaki chance manalo,” Codinera said about the Finals.
Allwell Oraeme led the Cardinals with 20 points and 24 rebounds. Estrella added 15 markers.
The Arellano Chiefs now await the victor of the San Beda-Perpetual bracket. The Finals is set to begin on Thursday, October 6, at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (92) – Jalalon 22, Flores 22, Salado 13, Gumaru 10, Meca 5, Nicholls 5, Cadavis 4, Villoria 4, Holts 3, Enriquez 2, Aguilar 2, Gupilan 0.
MIT (80) – Oraeme 20, Estrella 15, Isit 14, Eriobu 11, Raflores 7, Menina 6, Orquina 4, Victoria 3, Biteng 0, Bunag 0, Aguirre 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 49-42, 69-57, 92-80.
