Arellano averts meltdown, squeaks past Lyceum

Jio Jalalon attempts a jumpshot. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Arellano University survived a late collapse with an 81-76 escape over Lyceum in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Chiefs were well on their way to a victory when they took a 78-66 cushion with under two minutes remaining.

But Arellano found itself scrambling to the finish after Lyceum crept right back into it, 79-76, with 20.3 seconds.

The Pirates even had the chance to extend the game to overtime but Reymar Caduyac’s 3-pointer hit nothing but air.

“We threw bad passes and had lapses in the end,” said Arellano head coach Jerry Codiñera, whose team joined University of Perpetual Help in second place with a 6-2 record.

Dioncee Holts powered the Chiefs’ sixth win with 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks while guards Kent Salado and Jio Jalalon combined for 30 points.

Jalalon, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Tuesday, collected 13 points, four rebounds and seven assists. He also clinched the game at the free throw line, hitting a pair with 1.6 seconds left.

Mike Nzeusseu notched another double-double with 24 points and 17 rebounds. He had 12 points in the fourth quarter alone as he spearheaded the Pirates’ endgame rally.