INQUIRER Sports

BACOLOD CITY — Arellano University shrugged off a tense start to dump University of San Carlos, 79-74, Wednesday night at the start of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League zonal qualifying tournament at the West Negros University Gym.

Coming off a long layoff, the Chiefs came alive in the second half when Adrian Celada and John Tayongtong sparkled to give Arellano the headstart in the tournament which stakes two slots to the Sweet 16.

“I told the players at halftime that we are not here to take a vacation, but to compete,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan. “We were very sluggish in the first half. The players were not moving well enough. Good thing they responded in the second half.”

Looking weary and out-of-synch, the Chiefs threw the ball away 16 times in the first half. But Celada kept them in the game with 14 of his team-high 21 points coming in the first two periods.

Tayongtong took over at crunchtime, firing 11 of Arellano’s last 18 points. His triple that beat the shotclock with 12 seconds remaining sealed the win for the Chiefs, who will take on Holy Trinity College today.

ARELLANO 79—Celada 21, G. Ciriacruz 14, Tayongtong 13, Rivera 9, Agustin 7, Virtudazo 6, I. Ciriacruz 5, Dimla 2, Miranda 2, Reducto 0, Anquilo 0.

USC 74—Padillo 23, Cantonao 14, Hermosa 13, Gallarde 7, Panerio 5, Codilla 4, Bautista 4, Cortes 4, Bakker 0.
Quarters: 13-17, 29-33, 52-50, 79-74