Coming into Friday afternoon’s tilt against the Lyceum Pirates, the Arellano University Chiefs were on a high after outlasting Final Four-contenders JRU Heavy Bombers in double overtime last Thursday.
And for 32 minutes and 22 seconds, they believed that they could be the ones to end the Pirates’ 11-game rampage.
But as the dust settled, a frustrated Kent Salado couldn’t stand to stay on the court any longer ,after his team had blown a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter against the most targeted team this season.
“Masakit. Nauna na ako sa dugout kasi nahiya ako sa court eh,” the combo-guard regretfully shared, after his 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds were all wasted.
“Di na nga ako nag-Arellano Hymn.”
For the majority of the game, it seemed like the Chiefs were about to hand the first-ever loss of the Pirates. The Chiefs had been able to break the Pirates’ press and were well in control of the game.
It could have been the biggest upset of the season.
But the Pirates managed a rally with enough time to win the match, with MJ Ayaay, Reymar Caduyac, and Jaycee Marcelino all contributing to eat up Arellano’s lead. And when the going got tough, the Chiefs were rattled.
Still With 6.5 seconds left, Arellano had a chance to tie the game. However, Salado split his charities to give the keys to Lyceum.
“Na-bad trip na ako nung nag-free throw ako kasi ang iniisip ko, mga three minutes lamang na kami mga trese. Mali eh, nagkamali kaming lahat eh. Sayang yung free throw ko,” lamented the Cagayan de Oro-native, as Arellano fell to a 4-7 slate.
“Parang nagalit na ako sa laro kasi bakit nangyari ‘to?”
Eventually, in the battle for rebound, Jaycee Marcelino grabbed the ball, was fouled, and sunk one of his free throws, 94-92, to escape with its streak intact.
“Sobrang sakit,” said Arellano’s leader. “Lesson learned na lang sa amin yun na lamang na kami, bakit pa kami nagmamadali.
“Yun yung pinaguusapan namin kanina, bakit ganon, eh three minutes lamang kami, bakit nagmamadali?”
And after this one got away, Salado and the Chiefs will have a tough time to get over this in the next few days.
By: Danine Cruz
