By: Joaquin Cortez
Arellano University overwhelmed the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 88-65, to remain perfect in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With the win, Arellano remained in a two-way tie with Colegio de San Juan de Letran for first place in Group B at 3-0, securing the program’s best start since joining the Grand Old League. Perpetual, meanwhile, finished its first-round Group B assignments with a 2-2 record for third place.
“‘Yong preparation, ‘yon ang pinakanagbunga, ‘yong the will to win. Naging consistent lang kami sa mga hindi kami dati consistent. So ‘yon ‘yong tinrabaho ng mga bata,” Arellano head coach Chico Manabat said. “Salute then sa coaches kasi ‘yong preparations namin, tinulungan namin ang isa’t isa pati ‘yong mga bata.”
The Chiefs fired on all cylinders to open the game, converting 12 of their first 17 field-goal attempts while forcing eight turnovers to build a commanding 31-15 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Arellano continued to pour it on in the second canto, stretching its advantage to as many as 25 points before Perpetual mounted a 16-9 run behind baskets from Mark Gojo Cruz and JM Tulabut to trim the deficit to 18, 53-35, at halftime.
The Altas struggled to turn the tide in the second half as the Chiefs maintained a comfortable double-digit cushion, taking a 65-49 lead into the final period.
With 46 seconds left in the third quarter, Joseph Hernal was ejected after being assessed a disqualifying foul for pulling Jericho Cristino’s jersey and hitting him in the stomach.
Arellano’s lead proved too big to overcome, with Basti Valencia’s layup stretching the Chiefs’ advantage to 22 with less than two minutes remaining and putting the game out of reach at 88-65.
The Chiefs also caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down 13 of 28 attempts for a 46.4-percent clip. The Altas, meanwhile, struggled from deep, converting just five of 28 attempts for 17.9 percent.
Arellano’s defensive pressure also paid dividends as the Chiefs recorded 10 steals and forced 15 turnovers, turning those miscues into 17 points.
Four of Arellano’s five starters scored in double figures, led by King Vinoya with 15 points. T-Mc Ongotan added 13 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter alone. Yuan Camay contributed 10 points and four assists, while Valencia also had 10 markers and three steals.
Tulabut led Perpetual with 16 points and five rebounds, followed by LA Casinillo with 14 points. Mark Gojo Cruz finished with 11 points, five boards, and three steals for the Altas.
Arellano will look to spoil Letran’s unbeaten run on Monday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. Perpetual, meanwhile, will try to bounce back against Mapúa University in its first crossover-round match on Friday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
Arellano 88 – Vinoya 15, Ongotan 13, Camay 10, Valencia 10, Libang 9, Borromeo 9, Geronimo 8, Abiera 6, Cabotaje 3, Buenaventura 2, Manansala 2, Hernal 1, Langit 0, Flores 0, Anama 0.
Perpetual 65 – Tulabut 16, Casinillo 14, Gojo Cruz 11, Corpuz 9, Orgo 4, Cristino 3, Maglupay 2, Borja 2, Gelsano 2, Gelano 2, Duremdes 2, Thompson 0, Roluna 0, Montemayor 0.
Quarterscores: 31-15, 53-45. 65-59, 88-65.
