MANILA, Philippines – Arellano rallied past Jose Rizal University, 67-64, to end itd four-game losing skid in the NCAA Season 89 Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Chiefs got 12 points apiece from Prince Caperal, John Pinto and Keith Agovida to improve its record to 3-6 to end its campaign in the first round.
“Ang hirap manalo [It’s difficult to win]. I’m not looking for a perfect game, just perfect effort,” said Arellano coach Koy Banal, whose team missed the services of its skipper James Forrester.
Arellano came back from a 50-57 deficit with 6:37 left to play. Agovida tied it at 59 before Caperal scored four straight points to give the lead back to the Chiefs for good, 63-62, with 1:33 remaining.
“Gusto talaga naming manalo. Yung confidence namin ang baba na talaga,” said Caperal, who also grabbed eight rebounds and had four blocks.
Agovida made two free throws to set the final tally with 21.4 ticks left as JRU missed three potential game-tying attempts – two from Paolo Pontejos and the other from Philip Paniamogan a before time ran out.
Pontejos led the Heavy Bombers, who dropped to 5-4, with 18 points and seven assists while Paniamogan added 13 points.
Forrester was slapped with a two-game suspension after his unsportsmanlike behavior during Arellano’s loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College the last time out.