Opening their season in front of their home crowd at the Arellano Gym, the Arellano University Chiefs did not disappoint, surging past the resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in seat-grabbing fashion, 75-69, Thursday evening.
Arellano was supposed to make its season debut last July 10 against San Beda. However, the game was postponed due to inclement weather. Seven days later, the same happened when they were supposed to face the Perpetual Altas.
Having the chance to make their debut at home, the Chiefs made sure to make the most out of it.
“Actually, nakatulong din yung crowd namin. Ever since naman kasi, sila yung eighth man namin. Ay, sixth man pala,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codiñera said in jest.
Down 53-58 with five minutes left in regulation, Arellano guard Adrian Alban took it to himself, pouring six big points in a 10-2 run that knotted things up, 63-all, with 39 ticks left in the game.
After a squandered basket from the Generals, both Alban and Rence Alcoriza had a chance to win the game, but both stalwarts weren’t able to convert, forging an extra period.
During overtime, a 6-5 spurt from the Generals gave them a slim one point cushion, 69-68. However, Levi Dela Cruz came alive, scoring two unanswered baskets — capped by a booming triple — to lift the Chiefs to a 73-71 advantage in the final two minutes of the game.
The Generals though had a chance to tie or take the lead as they fished for fouls in transition, but the roaring crowd of Arellano proved to be the huge difference.
With a strong desire to repay the Arellano faithful, spitfire point guard Dela Cruz sealed the game with a short stab.
Four players scored in double figures for the Chiefs with Archie Concepcion leading the way with 15 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Alban and Dela Cruz had 13 and 12 markers respectively.
“Lahat-lahat nagtulong-tulong actually. Yung Concepcion, yung Alban, tapos yung Dela Cruz nung overtime,” the all-time PBA great beamed.
On the other hand, Maui Cruz finished with 14 markers, 10 of which came in the fourth frame, that went for naught.
Hamadou Laminou and Juju Bautista added identical 14 points. Laminou had 10 rebounds while Bautista hauled 16.
Arellano will look to make it two in a row against Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday, July 24, at the Filoil Arena. The Generals meanwhile will look to halt their skid infront of their home crowd at the EAC Gym against the Altas on Thursday, July 26.
The Scores:
AU 75 – Concepcion 15, Alban 13, Alcoriza 12, Dela Cruz 12, Villoria 9, Canete 7, Meca 4, Serajosef 2, Dela Torre 1, Abdurassad 0, Bayla 0, Codinera 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Sacramento 0, Santos 0
EAC 69 – Bautista 14, Cruz 14, Laminou 14, Garcia 7, Mendoza 7, Natividad 5, Robin 4, Diego 2, Magullano 2, Bugarin 0, Cadua 0, Gonzales 0, Neri 0, Tampoc 0
Quarterscores: 20-13, 31-26, 49-48, 63-63, 75-69
