Arellano University continued its resurgence in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament, defeating University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 66-59, on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre for back-to-back wins.
Trailing 55-45 late in the third quarter, the Chiefs delivered a defensive masterclass, holding the Altas to just four points in the final 10 minutes.
Arellano’s defense was suffocating, limiting Perpetual Help to a dismal 1-of-14 shooting in the fourth quarter while forcing six turnovers.
“Eto yung pinractice namin eh. Yan yung gusto naming gawin. Alam namin na may antidote lagi si Coach Olsen (Racela). As a point guard myself, inisip na rin namin yung gagawin at may tinago kami at hindi lang kami nabasa nung fourth quarter,” said Manabat.
Maverick Vinoya led the way for Arellano with a career-high 20 points, stepping up in the absence of Perpetual’s standout JM Capulong, who was held to just four points.
“Naging ready lang ako. Mahirap tapatan ang isang JM Capulong. Ginawa ko lang yung role na binigay sa‘kin,” said Vinoya as Cpulong was held down to just four points
Tmac Ongoton added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Renzo Abiera contributed 10 points for the Chiefs, who improved their record to 5-8, tying Perpetual.
Arellano will next face the red-hot Mapua Cardinals on Friday.
For Perpetual Help, Cedrick Abis (11 points) and Mark Gojo Cruz (10 points) led the scoring effort, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the Altas’ second straight loss.
They will look to bounce back on Saturday against Lyceum.
The Scores:
Arellano 66 – Vinoya 20, Ongotan 11, Abiera 10, Valencia 8, Geronimo 6, Hernal 5, Capulong 4, Borromeo 2, Camay 0, Miller 0, Flores 0, Libang 0
Perpetual Help 59 – Abis 12, Gojo Cruz 11, Nunez 9, Montemayor 9, Pagaran 7, Boral 7, Pizarro 2, Manuel 2, Javier 0, Gelsano 0, Movida 0
Quarterscores: 16-13, 33-39, 48-55, 66-59
