With the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals holding on to the lead, the Arellano University Chiefs took advantage of the carelessness displayed by their opponents to turn the tides of the game for an 88-82 win, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Big man Lervin Flores led the Chiefs with a double-double, 20 points and 15 rebounds, while swatting away two shots. Jio Jalalon also notched a double-double as well with 15 points and 12 dimes.
“It feels good to return to the win column,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera shared. “It is safe to say that we were able to move on from the game against San Beda.”
“Kahit hindi ganun ka-spectacular ang panalo, nanalo pa rin.”
With the Chiefs holding on to a 60-57 lead late in the third frame, Cameroonian student-athlete Hamadou Laminou lifted the Generals, scoring an array of jumpers capped by a poster dunk on Lervin Flores, to give EAC a 66-62 lead entering the final frame.
“Sabi ko sa kanila ‘don’t take Laminou for granted.’ Sobrang husay,” the Defensive Minister rued. “23 points points, eight rebounds pa. Monster game. Sa amin si Flores pa inaasahan namin, local pa.”
The Generals held on to a solitary point lead with five minute to go in the game. However, the inexperience of the Generals showed. Turnovers by Francis Munsayac, Sidney Onwubere, and Jorem Morada — in that order — led to baskets for Zach Nicholls, Jalalon, and Flores respectively to give Arellano an 81-74 edge with three minutes remaining.
However, fouls by the Chiefs led to free throws for the Generals that kept the latter alive. A split on the stripe by Jozhua General, subbed for Onwubere who had cramped up in the prior play, cut the Arellano lead to just three with 42.5 ticks remaining. However, Jalalon found his way to the paint and knocked down a floater that proved to be that dagger.
“Siguro, we took them lightly since they were the cellar-dwellers last season, pero they have so many close games,” Codinera said.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Generals led by Laminou. Morada added 17 points in the loss, but had to be taken out of the game with 14 seconds remaining after badly rolling his right ankle. Onwubere added a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
As a team, the Chiefs had a rare advantage in inside points, scoring 46 points in the paint. Both teams shot a huge number of free throws as well, with Arellano attempting 26 free throws, converting 17, while EAC went 18-for-31 from the stripe.
The Arellano Chiefs (4-2) will next face the Benilde Blazers on Friday, July 29 at 4:00pm. On the other hand, the EAC Generals (1-5) look to pick themselves up, facing the San Sebastian Stags on the same day at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
AU (88) – Flores 20, Jalalon 15, Cadavis 12, Alcoriza 10, Salado 7, Nicholls 7, Viloria 5, Canete 4, Gumaru 3, Zamora 3, Holts 1, Enriquez 1, Aguilar 0, Meca 0, Gupilan 0.
EAC (82) – Laminou 23, Morada 17, Onwubere 16, King 11, Munsayac 10, Guzman 3, Pascua 1, General 1, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Aguas 0, Estacio 0, Mendoza 0, Serano 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 45-36, 62-66, 88-82.
