MANILA, Philippines — Zachary Nicholls sizzled from downtown and carried Arellano to a 65-59 victory over Mapua Thursday in the NCAA season 89 seniors’ basketball competition at the Arena in San Juan.
Nicholls drained five triples in the game, including two straight in the last four minutes to keep the Chiefs afloat before they went for the kill against the Cardinals.
After Nicholls tied the game anew at 57, Prince Caperal gave them the lead with an undergoal stab and Arellano held on to the lead from then on.
Nicholls, who finished with 18 points with five rebounds, also scored the last three points for the Chiefs for safety.
Arellano improved to 2-2 while Mapua dropped to 1-3.
Kenneth Ighalo led the Cardinals with 14 points, also rallying his team to a 10-to-nothing blast early in the fourth to even lead, 54-51.
But after Darrel Magsigay’s triple, 57-54, Mapua allowed Arellano to go on an 11-2 run which ultimately keyed in its doom.