Cade Flores and Axel Doromal turned things around in the second half for Arellano University, beating Lyceum of the Philippines University, 77-63, on Wednesday in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Flores had his best game yet of his college basketball career scoring a career-high 23 points and seven steals, together with 12 rebounds, two assists, and a block.
After trailing by one in the first half, 33-34, the Chiefs erupted for 31 points in the third period to get the 64-48 advantage going to the final frame.
The lead ballooned to as much as 19, 62-43, thanks to a Kai Oliva freebie right before the end of the third canto.
Lyceum was able to cut the deficit to just 10 following a JM Bravo bucket right before entering the middle mark of the fourth, 68-58. Unfortunately, the lead was just too much for the Pirates to overcome as Arellano grabbed their fifth win of the season.
“Another chance ba sa standings. Maganda naman yung naging aming adjustments and correction. Lyceum we’re leading, collapse. Letran we’re leading, collapse na naman. So cinorrect namin. So salamat dumepensa sila,” said Arellano head coach Cholo Martin.
Joining Flores for the Chiefs is Doromal with a well-rounded 18 markers, five boards, and five dimes with a plus-23 in the box plus/minus category.
For Lyceum, JM Bravo had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Renz Villegas also contributed 12 markers, an assist, and a rebound.
The Chiefs (5-6) are now only one game behind .500, while the Pirates dropped to 8-4.
Next up for Arellano is Emilio Aguinaldo College (1-12) on Saturday at 12 NN. Lyceum on the other hand will be back on Friday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran (10-3), Friday same time.
The Scores:
Arellano 77 — Flores 23, Doromal 18, Talampas 9, Menina 8, Mallari 6, Tolentino 6, Domingo 2, Abastillas 2, Sunga 2, Oliva 1, Mantua 0, Oftana 0.
Lyceum 63 — Bravo 12, Villegas 12, Barba 9, Valdez 9, Navarro 4, Umali 4, Larupay 3, Montano 3, Vinoya 3, Cunanan 2, Guadana 2, Aviles 0, Caduyac 0, Culanay 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 33-34, 64-48, 77-63.
