The Arellano University Chiefs extended their winning streak to four games, pushing the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to a do-or-die game against the National University Bulldogs on Wednesday, 73-68, Monday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Chiefs bowed out of the Filoil Preseason Cup with a winning game and a 4-4 slate.
Despite the win, Arellano Head Coach Jerry Codiñera is still set to push the team to better play and consistency.
“We still have a lot of things to improve on. Kailangan pa rin talagang maging consistent kami. Marami kaming lapses eh, ‘di lang nakikita pero kailangan pa rin maging consistent,” he said.
Kent Salado led four Chiefs in double-figures with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Lervin Flores and Kraniel Villoria added 16 points, with the former grabbing nine rebounds and swatting three shots.
Ten seconds before the end of the first half, the Chiefs secured a 10 point cushion after UP failed to secure the rebound which Zach Nichols took advantage by sinking a three.
Chief’s go-to guy, Kent Salado, dominated as early as the first half with 13 markers and three assists.
“Sabi nga ni Coach ‘pag mag-dos ako, puro lang ako pasa, pero ‘pag uno ako, saka ako nakaka-score, nagagawa ko naman,” he said.
The guard — who was initially having an identity crisis following partner Jio Jalalon’s graduation — is now fitting in perfectly as a point guard. Salado added four points and three assists come the second half.
Even though the Maroons came within four, 72-68, with only 43.5 ticks left, after Javi Gomez De Liaño hit a triple, it wasn’t enough to neutralize the Chiefs.
UP’s guards Paul Desiderio, Diego Dario, and Juan Gomez De Liano were all missing in action during the last outing. However, Jarrell Lim and Kyles Lao still contributed big with 16 and 10 points respectively. Ibrahim Quattara also made damage with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
This win also felt like redemption for the NCAA runner up.
Coach Codiñera shared, “Natalo kami dun sa tournament sa Malolos Cup (Republica Cup) [sa UP], we have to validate ourselves as a team, na we can beat this team. It gives us confidence every time we win.”
The frustrated Fighting Maroons will face a knockout game on Wednesday, June 14, versus the National University Bulldogs to decide who will continue to the quarterfinals. – By Danine Cruz
The Scores:
AU (73) – Salado 17, Flores 16, Villoria 16, Concepcion 11, Meca 4, Nicholls 3, Canete 2, Rivera 2, Taywan 2, Aguilar 0, Abanes 0, Ongolo 0, Chavez 0, De Guzman 0, Juico 0.
UP (68) – Lim 16, Quattara 14, Lao 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Prado 8, Manzo 3, Vito 3, Jaboneta 3, Webb 2, Harris 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 43-33, 62-53, 73-68.
