Arellano University silenced the entire Smart Araneta Coliseum after spoiling host team Emilio Aguinaldo College, 63-58, on the opening day of NCAA season 98 men’s basketball on Saturday.
Down by three, 58-61, with 7.5-seconds remaining Ralph Robin attempted a long ball to tie but missed.
Shane Menina closed out the game right by making both his free throws with 0.5-ticks left to make it a five-point, 63-58 win.
“[I’m] a little bit surprised. Pero alam ko na ‘yung team ngayon di ka papabayaan hanggang dulo – lalaban yan. ‘Yung present lineup namin, everybody wants to prove something, so up to the last minute trabaho lang sila ng trabaho, and I’m happy for that,” said Arellano head coach Cholo Martin.
Down by two, 51-53, with 3:58 left in the payoff period, JP Maguliano and Mhelwar Balowa made back-to-back baskets to give them a two-point 55-53 lead with 3:38 remaining.
Joshua Abastillas, Neil Tolentino, and Shane Menina answered back with a 6-0 run to give them a four-point, 59-55, cushion with 1:44 left.
Ralph Robin though, was able to make it a one-point game, 58-59 after a three-ball before Menina made his both free throws, 61-58 with 11-seconds after a foul from Magulliano.
Menina powered the Chiefs scoring a game-high 15 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal, while Axel Doromal finished with 13 markers and six boards.
Cade Flores had nine points and 13 boards.
For EAC, Allen Liwag had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds while Nat Cosejo chipped in 10 markers and six boards.
The Chiefs started their campaign with a win, while the Generals dropped to 0-1.
AU will take on San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Tuesday at 12 noon, while EAC will be facing San Beda University right after at 3 PM.
The Scores:
AU (62) — Menina 15, Doromal 13, Tolentino 10, Flores 9, Mantua 5, Oftana 3, Mallari 2, Abastillas 2, Tapampas 2, Oliva 2, Sunga 0
EAC (58) — Liwag 12, Cosejo 10, Maguilano 9, Gurtiza 8, Umpad 8, Luciano 4, Tolentino 4, Robin 3, Bajon 0, Balowa 0, Ad. Dorja 0, An. Dorja 0
Quarterscores: 17-14, 33-35, 46-47, 63-58
