Jordan Sta. Ana and Justin Arana powered Arellano University to a 72-63 stunner over suddenly-skidding Mapua University in the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball, Sunday at La Salle Green Hills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Arana ended with yet another double-double performance of 17 points — including that six points in the clutch — and 15 rebounds to go along with three blocks. Meanwhile, Sta, Ana broke out of his slump to finish with 15 markers, four boards, seven assists, and a steal.
With the Cardinals breathing down their necks in crunch time, the two former UST Growling Tigers took charge for the Chiefs.
Adrian Nocum cut the deficit to two, 60-62, off a transition layup, 4:09 left in the game, but it was all Mapua could manage as Sta. Ana and Arana pushed Arellano for the win.
Sta. Ana extended the lead back to four, 64-60, with under four minutes left to play. The guard then found Arana in the counter break for the 68-60 spread, 2:05 remaining.
“Salamat nakaahon din. Kailangang-kailangan eh dahil da standings,” head coach Cholo Martin said of the urgency of getting this bounce-back win.
“Yun ‘yung pinaglalaban ng mga bata , ‘yung umangat kami sa standings kasi ‘pag natalo maiiwan kami eh. Oo kaya pa [yung final four], yun ang talagang target namin. Pero [top] six muna kasi yung [top] four malabo na kasi apat na sila roon eh,” he continued.
The Chiefs went to 2-3 in a tie with Emilio Aguinaldo College and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA after snapping their three game slide. Meanwhile, the Cardinals slipped to 3-2, suffering their second straight loss.
Art Oliva added 10 points for Arellano off 57-percent shooting, to go with one rebound, one block, and two steals. John Carandang chipped in three blocks, six points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Warren Bonifacio paced Mapua once again with 11 points and 10 rebounds, with one assist and two steals. Paolo Hernandez, though, was limited to seven points in just a 42.9-percent shooting clip and forced to one turnover.
Arellano will look to continue their momentum against undefeated San Beda University (4-0) on April 17 at 12 NN. On the other hand, Mapua will go for a bounce-back win against Perpetual on April 13 at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
Arellano 72 – Arana 17, Sta. Ana 15, Oliva 10, Doromal 9, Carandang 6, Sablan 4, Uri 4, Caballero 3, Cruz 2, Dela Cruz 2, Valencia 0.
Mapua 63 – Bonifacio 11, Pido 9, Nocum 9, Garcia 8, Agustin 7, Gamboa 7, Hernandez 7, Lacap 5, Mercado 0, Asuncion 0, Sual 0, Salenga 0, Milan 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 41-35, 56-48, 72-63.
