The Arellano University Chiefs put up a furious comeback in Game One of the NCAA Season 92 Seniors Basketball finals Friday afternoon. The Chiefs had battled back from 13 points down, surviving early foul trouble from ace floor general Jio Jalalon — who had also battled cramps in the game — to go up by a solitary point, 85-84, with 2:11 left in the game.
“It took us two quarters to adjust doon sa type of play and yung familiarity ng game siyempre, championship game,” said Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera, who is making his second NCAA finals appearance as mentor.
“Nag-iba yung mga players eh. Medyo nagkanya-kanya. When things were down, may mga bagay na hindi nila [dapat] ginagawa, ginawa nila.”
However, the Red Lions were able to take back the lead 55 seconds later. Needing a bucket to regain the momentum they had lost, the PBA legend designed a play specifically designed for Jalalon.
“Kay Jio talaga yun. He was reading, may play kami na dinesign para sa kanya,” he reflected.
“Pero he changed it nung kalagitnaan sa atake, parang may nag-collapse, binigay niya kay Holts.”
During the play, Jalalon suddenly shifted to the left instead of driving to the right — his strong side. With Robert Bolick hounding him, the Gilas Cadet was able to find a wide-open Dioncee Holts for a jumper. But the shot was short, resulting in free throws for Bolick that iced Game One.
“Siyempre, I will always wish that Jio will take the last shot, whatever happens,” the Defense Minister lamented.
The Chiefs were completely devastated after the final buzzer sounded, and they crumpled to the floor as if it was the championship-clinching game. But it is not; it was just Game One.
Arellano have been in the finals in two of the last three seasons but have yet to taste a single win in the championship series. Maybe doubt had set in for the cagers from Legarda Street as they have yet to defeat the Red Lions in four games this season.
“Masasaktan ka talaga,” Codinera said after the 88-85 loss. “You’re almost there, you’re ahead by a point. We weren’t able to execute defensively, offensively. We’re just one basket away and normally, nakaka-execute kami doon eh.”
“It didn’t happen tonight.”
Unlike his players, Codinera is still hoping that the Chiefs can find the gear they were in a season ago: the Chiefs that had given San Beda fits, the Chiefs that had swept their Season 91 series against the Red Lions and eliminated them during the pre-season.
“Sa NCAA but we beat them sa FilOil so I still always look at the positive side na we beat them before, and last year,” Codinera shared.
“It’s just that, yung adjustment, when they go small and play zone – we should be happy with the zone because it’s about shooting, just take it. Kapag libre, tira na.”
