For the first time in NCAA history, two opposing players notched a triple-double in a game as Smart Elite ambassadors Jio Jalalon and Scottie Thompson had a showdown for the ages. However, there had to be a victor in this classic as the Arellano University Chiefs survived the Perpetual Altas in overtime, 84-77 in the last game of Friday’s triple header at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Arellano used a quick pace and providing good ball movement coming from the combination of Jalalon and Donald Gumaru that led to a 12-2 start to the game. Jiovani Jalalon anchored the offense in their running game and dishing out early assists to his teammates. Their trapping defense also limited Perpetual to a lone basket in the first six minutes. In addition, they denied the Altas’ entry passes to avoid scoring chances in the paint. Perpetual’s struggle continued as they had a hard time in putting up points on the board as they were only able to barge into double digits only in the dying seconds with GJ Ilagan hitting a triple. Arellano held a 13-point lead as its largest but ended the first ten minutes of action up by five.
Perpetual ran with Arellano in the second quarter as they were able to go on par with the Chiefs’ running game. The Altas had a huge surge late in the period as they made their best scoring period with 24 and led by a point at the half.
Active hands led to early deflections in the second half as Arellano maintained the minimal lead they had. Meanwhile, the Altas sorted to a box and one defense against Jalalon’s squad but could not stop the transition offense by the Chiefs. The Altas lost the lead and trailed by as big as 57-50 in the third as Allen Enriquez and Nichole Bangga went feasting from the paint. As the same in the first two quarters, Arellano had a slow end to the period as they were held scoreless in the last 2 1/2 minutes as they entered the last quarter up by four.
As physicality started to take place in the fourth quarter, the game tightened up with a good exchange of defensive sequences. Prince Eze and Scottie Thompson scored the first baskets of the canto to extend their run while playing solid defense on the other side of the floor. By the 5:19 mark of the fourth, Eze’s free throws made it a 63-58 game as the Chiefs went ice cold with only a point in that stretch.
Seeing themselves trailing, Jalalon and Zach Nichols each drained in a triple to break the silence and make it a solitary point game in Perpetual’s favor at 65-64. Minutes later, Jalalon answered three points put up by the Altas with 1:21 left in the game. After a timeout, Perpetual committed a turnover that led to two free throws to tie the game at 68. A stop with 3.1 seconds left gave AU a chance for one last play but failed to make an attempt.
Julius Cadavis scored the first three pts in OT but was answered by a tough bucket by Thompson. Fortunately for the Chiefs, they poured on 6 more points including a pull up by Jalalon that seemed to be the needed dagger to win game. A couple of defensive stops including a steal by Jalalon put the nail in the coffin.
“Jiovanni reached what he was given. He involves his teammates and just takes over,” Arellano head coach Gerry Condinera said about Jalalon’s outstanding performance. Moreover, he emphasized that this team was crucial in the Final Four race. “Yung JRU nga hindi namin matalo. We moved on with the loss and sana magtuloy-tuloy.”
Jalalon’s ended the night with a tally of 32 points, ten rebounds and 15 assists while Thompson notched 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Complimenting Jalalon’s effort was Zach Nicholls with 14 points, with four triples.
Arellano and Perpetual are now tied in the standings with both 8-4 records. The Arellano Chiefs will next face the Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00pm while the UPHSD Altas square-off San Beda Red Lions on Thursday, September 10 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (84) – Jalalon 32, Nicholls 14, Holts 8, Enriquez 8, Meca 7, Bangga 6, Salado 4, Cadavis 3, Gumaru 1, Ortega 1, Capara 0, Tano 0.
UPHSD (77) – Thompson 24, Eze 19, Coronel 16, Gallardo 6, Dagangon 4, Ylagan 3, Oliveria 2, Cabiltes 2, Dizon 1, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 0, Sadiwa 0, Elopre 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 39-40, 57-53, 68-68, 84-77.
