Behind solid payoff period, Arellano exacts revenge on San Beda

Arellano celebrates. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Jiovani Jalalon powered Arellano as the Chiefs gained a measure of revenge by outlasting San Beda, 88-84, to end their first round bid in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at San Juan Arena.

Jalalon sizzled with 22 points on a 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc to go with eight assists, six rebounds, and four steals.

“At least we gained retribution from last year’s Finals,” he said.

READ: Adeogun breaks glass door in frustration as San Beda trails Arellano

“It’s a big win. I just told them to sacrifice their bodies against Ola (Adeogun) and (Donald) Tankoua and limit their shooters like Art (dela Cruz) and (Radge) Tongco,” said coach Jerry Codinera as Arellano grabbed solo fourth at 6-3.

“I wasn’t disappointed because we put up a good fight.”

Dioncee Holts also finished with a double-double with 21 points, nine coming in the payoff period, alongside 11 boards and five steals, as Michael Salado got 14 in the victory.

After the Red Lions stormed back in the third quarter and even took the lead, the Chiefs rebounded in the fourth and unleashed an 11-2 run to take an 84-73 edge courtesy of an Allen Enriquez bucket with 3:12 left to play.

San Beda tried to comeback and got to as close as three, 84-81, with an Art dela Cruz and-one, but his potential game-tying trey rattled out and set the stage for Holts to can his last four freebies and the game-saving steal to ice the game.

Tankoua paced San Beda with 20 points and 12 rebounds, his best game to date, while Roldan Sara had 16.

The Scores:

ARELLANO 88 – Jalalon 22, Holts 21, Salado 14, Enriquez 12, Nicholls 6, Gumaru 5, Cadavis 4, Bangga 2, Tano 2, Capara 0, Meca 0, Ortega 0, Zamora 0.
SAN BEDA 84 – Tankoua 20, Sara 16, Dela Cruz 11, Adeogun 10, Koga 8, Tongco 6, Mocon 4, Soberano 3, Reyes 2, Presbitero 2, Sorela 2, Cabanag 0, Bonsubre 0.

Quarters: 30-20, 41-37, 55-61, 88-84.