Arellano University sent Lyceum of the Philippines University to the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Play-In match after a dominant 74-56 wire-to-wire victory on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Following their 92-65 triumph in the opening round of the group stages, the Chiefs did it again, pushing the Pirates to a 3-9 record while improving their own to 6-6.
Arellano will enter the quarterfinals as the third-ranked squad from Group A and will face the second seed of Group B, who will have a twice-to-beat advantage.
Meanwhile, Lyceum will meet San Sebastian in the play-in.
“Nakita namin yung unang game namin versus LPU. Hindi namin kinopya pero hinanap namin kung ano ang puwedeng adjustments,” said Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat.
It was a clinical performance from Arellano, who held the Pirates to just eight points in the opening 10 minutes to build an 18-point lead.
The margin eventually ballooned to as high as 20 points.
T-Mc Ongotan led the way for the Chiefs with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, while Maverick Vinoya added 14 points.
“Unang-una, saludo ako sa players at coaches. Pinagtrabahuan talaga nila mula practices hanggang laro. Yung attitude sa laro, nandiyan din talaga,” said Manabat.
Arellano’s defense proved suffocating, limiting the Pirates to just 35-percent shooting from the field while forcing 19 turnovers that led to 12 points.
Lyceum also struggled at the free-throw line, making only 11-of-25 attempts.
John Barba was the sole double-digit scorer for the Pirates with 13 points.
The Scores:
Arellano 74 – Ongotan 24, Vinoya 14, Valencia 8, Borromeo 7, Geronimo 6, Libang 4, Demetria 4, Camay 3, Hernal 2, Buenaventura 2, Abiera 0, Cabotaje 0, Anama 0, Acop 0, Langit 0.
Lyceum 56 – Barba 13, Montano 8, Villegas 6, Aviles 6, Versoza 6, Matienzo 4, Casino 3, Abregana 3, Daileg 2, Gordon 2, Auriegue 0, Pallingayan 0, Paulo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-8, 37-27, 56-42, 74-56.
