Giovanni Jalalon outshines Scottie Thompson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jiovani Jalalon took the wheel in clutched and steered the ship for Arellano as it survived Perpetual, 84-77, in an overtime classic Friday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.
The shifty guard from Cagayan de Oro made his mark and scored the final 11 points for the Chiefs to finish with a triple-double of 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists.
Jalalon outshone fellow Gilas cadet Earl Scottie Thompson in the duel between two of the league’s best players.
“Si Jiovani, sya na yun (It’s on him.),” said Arellano coach Jerry Codinera. “He just reads what’s being given, takes what the defense is giving him, sets up his teammates, and takes over when he needs to.”
Thompson recorded his fifth triple-double of the season in the Altas defeat with 24 markers, 12 boards, and 11 dimes.
With the game tied at 68 with 3.1 seconds left in regulation, the Chiefs had a chance to steal the game, but Julius Cadavis could not make a shot off a pass from Donald Gumaru as the ball sailed out of bounds.
Cadavis atoned for the miscue in the extra period, scoring the first three points before Jalalon took over and chained 11 consecutive points to take the Chiefs to third place tie with the Altas at 8-4.
Zach Nicholls helped Arellano with 14 points powered by four triples, as Dioncee Holts got eight markers and 15 rebounds.
Without Bright Akhuetie who sat out the game due to an injured left shoulder, Perpetual relied on Prince Eze who had 19 markers and 15 boards, while AJ Coronel got 16.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 84 – Jalalon 32, Nicholls 14, Holts 8, Enriquez 8, Meca 7, Bangga 6, Salado 4, Cadavis 3, Gumaru 1, Ortega 1, Capara 0, Tano 0.
PERPETUAL 77 – Thompson 24, Eze 19, Coronel 16, Gallardo 6, Dagangon 4, Ylagan 3, Oliveria 2, Cabiltes 2, Dizon 1, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 9, Sadiwa 0, Elopre 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 39-40, 57-53, 68-68, 84-77.