The Arellano University Chiefs, behind another all-around outing by Jio Jalalon, demolished the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to close out the Saturday triple-header in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup, Saturday evening in San Juan City.
Jio Jalalon stuffed the stat sheet once more with 22 markers on 9 for 16 shooting, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, and a steal in the win. Rookie forward Michael Canete added 15 markers, while Kent Salado complemented the Jalalon effort with 14 points, four assists, and three steals.
“Laki ng diperensiya (from last season),” said Defensive Minister Jerry Condinera about his team. “We have four to five blue chip players that we added.”
After a close first quarter that saw Arellano lead by just two, 22-20, the Chiefs lambasted the young Tamaraws, who were playing without frontline players Richard Escoto (rest), Reymar Jose (rest), and Prince Orizu (rest). Moreover, the pressing Arellano defense limited the defending UAAP Champions to just 12 points in the second quarter to extend their lead to 12, 45-32. Jalalon had already scored 17 by the halfway point of the game.
“Baka bina-balance ni Coach Nash yung team. He wants to see the chemistry, he wants to see who’ll fit in the system,” said Condinera about the rotation utilized by the Tamaraws in this game.
It was all Chiefs in the third frame as the lead grew to 18, 71-53. However, even with the game out of reach, Condinera and the rest of the Arellano coaching staff implemented a full court press on the court and continued to play his strong five.
“We have so many games na naabutan kami last two minutes,” Condinera said about the final quarter. “Naglaro kami sa Ormoc. Our lead went down to low as eight sa Ormoc. UV kalaban namin.”
“Against FEU naman we don’t know their strength kasi champion team yun e. We don’t know gaano sila kalakas.”
The lead ballooned to a game-high 26 points, 91-65, with 1:19 remaining after a spectacular reverse layup by Salado. The game ended with a final score of 92-70.
The Tamaraws were led by Jojo Trinidad’s 13 points followed by Monbert Arong’s 11. However, the team committed a total of 24 turnovers compared to just ten by Arellano.
The Arellano Chiefs (B, 2-0) face the CSB Blazers (B, 0-2) on Wednesday, May 11 at 11:15am. On the other hand, the FEU Tamaraws (B, 1-1) look to bounce back against the UP Fighting Maroons (B, 0-1) on the same day at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (92) – Jalalon 22, Canete 15, Salado 14, Gumaru 8, Flores 6, Holts 5, Enriquez 5m Volloria 4, Aguilar 4, Meca 2, Gupilan 2, Rivera 2, Cadavis 2, Nicholls 1, Ongulo-ongulo 0, Abanes 0.
FEU (70) – Trinidad 13, Arong 11, Comboy 7, Ebona 6, Dennison 6, Tuffin 5, Bienes 5, Holmqvist S. 4, Holmqvist 3, Nebedum 3, Nunag 3, Lee Yu 2, Denila 2.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 45-32, 71-53, 92-70.
