Jiovani Jalalon takes charge for Arellano. photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Taking responsibility for his team’s collapse last Friday, Jiovani Jalalon made sure the Arellano Chiefs got their act together this time.
With Jalalon taking charge, the Chiefs completed a stunning elimination-round sweep of the defending champion San Beda Red Lions, 91-72, Thursday night to add another twist to a wild Final Four race in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.
On the cusp of a Final Four berth and a twice-to-beat edge in the next round, the Lions fell to their worst defeat of the season, struggling to find answers to the Chiefs’ relentless charge in the second half at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Chiefs led by as large as 20 points, 82-62, early in the final period, before coasting the rest of the way against the hapless Lions.
Jalalon was at the heart of the attack with 25 points, including four triples that went with seven rebounds and eight assists. He keyed a late third quarter spurt that boosted the Chiefs to a 73-56 gap heading into the final period.
“We knew the importance of this game and the need to be focused,” said Jalalon.
The Chiefs moved into a three-way tie for third spot with Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U. The Lions fell to second at 12-5 with a duel with Letran up on Tuesday.
Earlier, St. Benilde leaned on rookie Gerard Castor to hold off Lyceum, 59-56, for its first back-to-back wins of the season. The Pirates finished the season at 4-14. With a report from Jun Veloira
The scores:
First Game:
ST. BENILDE 59—Castor 14, Grey 13, Ongtengco 12, Domingo J. 6, Saavedra 5, Domingo S. 4, Sta. Maria 2, Fajarito 2, Nayve 0, Flores 0, Dixon 0, Young 0, San Juan 0
LYCEUM 56—Gabayni 14, Ayaay 11, Alanes 10, Baltazar 6, Lacastesantos 6, Soliman 3, Marata 2, Mbbida 2, Elmejrab 2, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Nguidjol 0, Taladua 0, Bulawan 0
Quarters: 9-12, 29-25, 43-43, 59-56
Second Game:
ARELLANO 91—Jalalon 25, Enriquez 15, Meca 11, Holts 10, Salado 10, Gumaru 9, Cadavis 6, Nicholls 5, Bangga 0, Ongolo 0, Ortega 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0.
SAN BEDA 72—Adeogun 17, Dela Cruz 10, Mocon 8, Soberano 7, Koga 6, Tankoua 6, Tongco 6, Amer 4, Reyes 2, Bonsubre 2, Presbitero 2, Solera 2, Cabanag 0
Quarters: 27-18, 48-37, 73-56, 91-72