The Arellano University Chiefs staved off a gallant stand by the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals to take an 83-74 win and extend their streak to a school-high seven games, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jio Jalalon continued to be spectacular, almost notching a triple-double with 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Fellow backcourtmate Kent Salado added 15 points and nine rebounds.
However, the Chiefs committed 19 turnovers, seven coming from Salado, much to the dismay of Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera.
“Daming mental mistakes, mental lapses muli,” the Defensive Minister rued.
The mental lapses his team had were evident in the final frame. Holding a 64-60 lead against the Generals, Arellano fell into the trap of exchanging baskets with EAC.
EAC, on the other hand, were unlucky as a handful of their open baskets were not falling.
“Sloppy. Mental mistakes. May lead na kami tapos ipipilit. Nandun yung Laminou, chachallenge pa nila kaya ilang blocks ang inabot namin,” Codinera said about Hamadou Laminou, who had five blocks in the game.
Arellano momentarily held a seven-point edge after a Dioncee Holts three but was answered right back by an Igee King triple to stay in the game, 77-73, with 3:42 remaining. This was the last field goal that the Generals scored in the game.
A steal by Donald Gumaru from a careless pass by Sidney Onwubere led to a breakaway basket that gave Arellano a six-point lead with 1:43 left. Baskets by Jalalon and Holts sealed the win for the Chiefs.
“Just being thankful na we were able to that feat for the school,” Codinera said as the Chiefs are now tied atop the standings. “It feels good kasi first time at sana magtuloy-tuloy.”
Lervin Flores added a double-double for Arellano with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He had three blocks as well.
For the Generals, who shot just 34 percent from the field, they were led by Jorem Morada’s 17 points. Hamadou Laminou added 16 points and nine boards, while Sidney Onwubere grabbed 18 rebounds as well.
The Arellano Chiefs (T-1st, 10-2) next face the Perpetual Altas (3rd, 9-3) on Thursday, September 1, at 2:00pm. On the other hand, the EAC Generals (T-8th, 3-9) has the red-hot JRU Heavy Bombers on Tuesday, August 30, at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (83) – Jalalon 21, Salado 15, Flores 10, Meca 9, Villoria 8, Gumaru 6, Holts 6, Enriquez 5, Cadavis 2, Aguilar 1, Canete 0, Gupilan 0, Nicholls 0.
EAC (74) – Morada 17, Laminou 16, Onwubere 11, King 10, Diego 8, Guzman 6, Munsayac 4, Neri 2, General 0, Mendoza 0, Pascua 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 37-35, 64-60, 83-74.
