Entering Friday’s tilt with a two-game losing skid, Arellano ace Kent Salado needed all the help he could get to snap their skid. And he was able to get it when the Chiefs badly needed it, as Michael Canete, Lervin Flores, and Levi dela Cruz stepped up to carry the Arellano University past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 84-79, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Withe the win, Arellano kept their semis hopes alive with a 5-8 record. EAC dropped out of their tie with JRU with a 6-7 slate.
Canete, a second-year forward, paced the Chiefs by scoring 11 of his career-best 27 points in the first quarter while finishing the game with 10 rebounds as well.
“Si Mike naman anytime,” remarked Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera. “Yun lang sometimes he’s just getting assigned to an import, to a post player, a good player. Kanina talaga sabi ko talaga kanina, aggressive siya sa offense. Mas clear cut siguro yung trabaho niya kanina.”
Though the Chiefs were able to secure a wire-to-wire win, they needed to survive a furious Generals rally in the end game.
“Oo sobra hanggang sa dulo di ka makakumpyansa. Grabe yung three-point ng kabila,” admitted Codinera as EAC knocked down 12 triples in the contest.
Behind sweet-shooting Jerome Garcia and bruiser Sidney Onwubere, EAC were able to slice Arellano’s 11-point lead to start the final frame. Garcia and Onwubere combined for 17 fourth quarter points, while the the Chiefs relied on their free throws to stave off EAC.
With 1:11 left, a Jeric Diego basket was able to cut the lead to just two, 76-78. Salado was able to bait Onwubere to commit his fifth foul, splitting his charities. Salado then pickpocketed Francis Munsayac afterwards, while free throws by Flores and Dela Cruz sealed the win for Arellano.
Salado tallied 23 points and five assists, while Flores finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Dela Cruz added 13 markers.
Arellano attempted 47 attempts from the foul stripe coming from 31 EAC fouls. The Generals were only given 12 free throw attempts.
Garcia led EAC with 15 points, while Jethro Mendoza and Jervin Guzman chipped in 13 and 12 points respectively.
Arellano will have a tough next assignment when they take on the San Beda Red Lions on Thursday, September 24. EAC will next face the Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday, September 26.
The Scores:
AU 84 – Canete 27, Salado 23, Flores 16, Dela Cruz 13, Enriquez 3, Nicholls 2, Alcoriza 0, Meca 0, Concepcion 0, Taywan 0
EAC 79 – Garcia 15, Mendoza J 13, Guzman 12, Onwubere 10, Diego 9, Tampoc 8, Munsayac 4, Pascua 4, Bugarin 4, Mendoza I 0, Neri 0, Corilla 0
Quarterscores: 24-22, 46-36, 63-52, 84-79
