NCAA: Arellano beats St. Benilde to end skid

Arellano University’s Jiovani Jalalon. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Arellano snapped its two-game losing skid with a dominating 85-73 win against De La Salle-College of St. Benilde on Friday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.

Zach Nicholls led the Chiefs in the convincing win, going for 19 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from threes, to go with four.

Jiovani Jalalon also registered a double-double with 13 markers and 10 assists, along with six boards and two steals, as Michael Salado finished with 11 points.

“It’s difficult because we’re trying to at least get a win against strong opponents in Letran and Perpetual,” said coach Jerry Codinera. “We really worked the team out in our practices and I hope that our support group will pitch in for today, and they did. It’s really a big help for us when our support group contribute.”

The Chiefs pulled away in the second half, where they took a 27-point edge, 77-50 courtesy of a Jalalon split from the line with 7:45 left in the fourth.

Arellano improved to 5-3, tying Jose Rizal University for the fourth spot days before its finals rematch against San Beda College.

Jonathan Grey paced St. Benilde (2-7) with 24 points, to go with five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Fons Saavedra had 16 markers in the defeat.

The scores:

ARELLANO 85—Nicholls 19, Jalalon 13, Salado 11, Gumaru 9, Holts 6, Ortega 6, Capara 4, Cadavis 4, Zamora 4, Enriquez 3, Meca 2, Bangga 2, Tano 2, Ongolo-Ongolo 0, De Guzman 0

BENILDE 73—Grey 24, Saavedra 16, JJ Domingo 15, JS Domingo 6, Ongteco 4, Sta. Maria 4, Fajarito 3, Castor 1, Nayve 0, Deles 0, Young 0, San Juan 0

Quarters: 30-17, 49-35, 74-48, 85-73