JIOVANI Jalalon delivered another virtuoso performance to propel Arellano University to an emphatic 99-81 victory over San Sebastian yesterday and a share of the early lead in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Underlining his status as college basketball’s top playmaker, Jalalon notched 31 points, 11 assists and a career-best eight steals as the Chiefs joined the San Beda Red Lions and the Mapua Cardinals at the top with identical 2-0 records.
“We can score quickly if he’s there; he just makes everything easy for us,” said Arellano guard Kent Salado of his teammate Jalalon, who also had 25 points and nine rebounds in the 89-85 win over Perpetual Help last Sunday.
Letran also picked up a second victory in three outings by slipping past St. Benilde, 56-52, while Perpetual Help broke into the win column by turning back Jose Rizal U, 58-50.
With chief gunner Rey Nambatac struggling with his shots, big man Jom Sollano took charge with 16 points, including five in the fourth period as the Knights staved off a late uprising by the Blazers (0-3).
The scores:
First Game
ARELLANO 99—Jalalon 31, Salado 17, Holts 16, Flores 10, Meca 7, Enriquez 7, Canete 3, Aguilar 2, Cadavis 2, Villoria 2, Gupilan 2, Gumaru 0, Nichols 0, Alcoriza 0.
SSC 81—Costelo 15, Capobres 14, Calisaan 12, Bulanadi 11, Ilagan 8, Fabian 5, Mercado 5, Valdez 4, Serajosef 4, Johnson 3, Baetiong 0, David 0, Gayosa 0, Quipse 0, Miguel 0.
Quarters: 26-19, 46-39, 71-57, 99-81
Second Game
LETRAN 56—Sollano 16, Calvo 11, Quinto 11, Nambatac 8, Apreku 4, Balanza 4, Balagasay 2, Bernabe 0, dela Pena 0, Luib 0, Sario 0.
ST. BENILDE 52—Leutcheu 11, Fajarito 9, Young 9, Dixon 8, Pasamante 7, Sta. Maria 6, Belgica 0, Castor 0, Jj. Domingo 0, Pajarillaga 0, Saavedra 0, San Juan 0
Quarters: 13-9, 29-20, 43-35, 56-52
Third Game
UPHR 58—Akhuetie 19, Dizon 12, Dagangon 10, Ylagan 7, Eze 6, Pido 2, Singontiko 0, Cabiltes 0, Hao 0.
JRU 50—Teodoro 24, Dela Paz 6, Grospe 6, Lasquety 5, Abdulwahab 4, Dela Virgen 3, Evardo 2, Poutouochi 0, Caballero 0, Cruz 0, Mendoza 0, Mendoza 0, Pontejos 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarters: 14-14, 31-25, 42-39, 58-50