The league-leading Arellano University Chiefs continue to display their lethal form, running past the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in a 79-68 win to keep their grip on pole position, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The loss, meanwhile, sends the Heavy Bombers to the brink, as they need Mapua to lose three of their last four games, while they must win their final outing to at least force a playoff for the last Final Four spot.
Sophomore Kent Salado had an efficient game, scoring 22 points on an excellent 10-of-13 clip. Fellow Cagayan de Oro native Jio Jalalon notched a double-double in the win as well with 18 points and 11 assists.
“Focused sila from the start to the end,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera said. “Siyempre meron talaga silang rally, sila Pontejos at si Teodoro, pero sabi ko sa kanila hang in there.”
With the Chiefs leading by 12 point lead with 44.8 seconds remaining in the third frame, the Heavy Bombers went on a 9-2 rally powered by fifth year gunslinger Paolo Pontejos. Pontejos knocked down a triple with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter, followed by a floater to start the final frame and cut the lead to just five, 61-56, with 7:17 remaining in the game.
“Na-challenge talaga ako kay Paolo,” Jalalon shared. “Magaling talaga siya kaya kinailangan ko mag-step up.”
The tandem of Jalalon and Salado lambasted the Heavy Bomber defense as the two turned the NCAA hard court into a streetball affair. Crisp passes and exhilarating finishes by the duo pushed Arellano’s lead right back to nine, 73-64, with 1:36 left in the game.
Highlight finds by Jalalon to the high-flying Flores resulted in two dunks, the latter an alley-oop, and sent the Arellano faithful into a frenzy.
Donald Gumaru added 11 points, while Flores had seven markers and 11 boards.
Even with the win, the “Defensive Minister” still rued that he still has yet to find the third and fourth Chief that can complement what is arguably the best backcourt in collegiate basketball today.
“Actually, on and off. This game si Gumaru at si Flores. Hindi ko alam kung sino puputok,” Codinera added. “Inconsistent kasi yung third and fourth game namin. Si Dioncee [Holts] is down with the flu.”
“Mahirap hanapin yung ka-partner nila sa takbuhan.”
Pontejos led the Heavy Bombers with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Jordan Dela Paz and Abdoul Poutouochi both notched a double-double as well.
However, the Chiefs, even if they struggled from the field, were able to control the pace of the game with 24 fastbreak points compared to just four for JRU.
The Arellano Chiefs (1st, 13-3) next face the Mapua Cardinals (4th, 9-5) on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:00pm. The JRU Heavy Bombers (5th, 9-8), on the other hand, play their last game of the season against the San Sebastian Stags on Thursday, September 22 at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
AU (79) – Salado 22, Jalalon 18, Gumaru 11, Flores 7, Enriquez 6, Nicholls 6, Aguilar 3, Holts 2, Cadavis 2, Canete 2, Meca 0, Villoria 0.
JRU (68) – Pontejos 24, Dela Paz 15, Poutouochi 14, Teodoro 10, Grospe 2, Cruz 2, Lasquety 1, Dela Virgen 0, Salaveria 0, Mendoza 0, Astilla 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 41-34, 59-50, 79-68.
