JOVANI Jalalon of Arellano INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Jiovani Jalalon delivered his third triple double of the season as Arellano dumped San Sebastian, 86-76, Friday to reclaim third spot in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Masterfully orchestrating the Chiefs’ run-and-gun attack, the spitfirish guard from Cagayan de Oro matched a season-high 17 assists that went with 18 points and 10 rebounds to propel his team to a 10th win in 14 games.
It was the third straight victory for the Chiefs with Jalalon dishing out two triple doubles in two of the wins.
Chiefs coach Jerry Codiñera couldn’t help but marvel at his point guard’s recent form.
“What he’s doing is no joke. I’m just a fan of the way he plays,” said Codiñera.
Mapua also propped up its Final Four drive with a 70-66 triumph over Lyceum while Jose Rizal U kept its postseason hopes alive by blasting Emilio Aguinaldo College, 87-64.
The Cardinals survived the absence of Nigerian center Allwell Oraeme, who fouled out, and coach Atoy Co, who was ejected for complaining a call, to notch their fourth straight win and improve to 8-5.
The scores:
First Game
JRU 87—Pontejos 21, Teodoro 13, Grospe 13, Cruz 11, Dela Paz 7, Estrella 6, Astilla 4, Abdul Wahab 4, Sanchez 3, Lasquety 2, Poutouochi 1, Balagtas 0, dela Virgen 0
EAC 64—Onwubere 21, Hamadou 10, Munbsayac 9, Mejos 8, Bonleon 7, Pascual 5, Corilla 2, Estacio 2, Pascua 0.
Quarters: 25-7, 42-23, 68-48, 68-48, 87-64
Second Game
MAPUA 70—Serrano 15, Nieles 10, Brana 10, Oraeme 8, Menina 8, Isit 6, Que 6, Biteng 5, Aguirre 2, Layug 0, Raflores 0
LYCEUM 66—Gabayni 21, Baltazar 14, Nguidjol 12, Ayaay 8, Marata 3, Bulawan 3, Malabanan 2, Soliman 2, Sunga 1, Mbida 0.
Quarters: 25-12, 37-25, 58-45, 70-66
Third Game
ARELLANO 86—Jalalon 18, Gumaru 17, Holts 11, Enriquez 10, Ortega 9, Salado 8, Bangga 6, Cadavis 5, Meca 2, Nicholls 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 76—Guinto 19, Fabian 17, Calisaan 13, Costelo 8, Santos 5, Ortuoste 5, Capobres 4, Pretta 3, Bulanadi 2, Bragais 0, Alvarez 0
Quarters: 26-22, 42-41, 67-63, 86-76