Jiovani Jalalon. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano sustained its hot streak and scored a 78-69 victory over St. Benilde for its sixth straight victory Friday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jiovani Jalalon showed the way for the Chiefs with his 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists as they took solo second place at 9-2.
“First time namin maka-sixth straight. Malaking bagay yun,” said coach Jerry Codinera. “We hope it will fuel yung energy namin in the coming weeks kasi puro heavyweight ang kalaban.”
Dioncee Holts also tallied 12 markers and 12 boards, while Kent Salado dropped 11 points, six rebounds, and six dimes.
Arellano burst into a 24-14 first quarter and padded the lead to as high as 22, 54-32, in the third period.
Carlo Young willed the Blazers back and set up the close fourth quarter but Jalalon was there to seal the deal for the Chiefs.
St. Benilde fell to a 0-11 record, matching its worst start since 2004.
Young carried the winless Blazers with 24 points, 12 coming in the payoff period, on top of two rebounds and two assists.
JJ Domingo also got 15 markers, three boards, and three dimes, while Christian Fajarito had 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 78 – Jalalon 17, Holts 12, Salado 11, Gumaru 7, Nicholls 7, Meca 6, Enriquez 5, Flores 4, Cadavis 4, Aguilar 3, Canete 2, Villoria 0, Rivera 0, Zamora 0.
ST. BENILDE 69 – Young 24, Domingo 15, Fajarito 11, Dixon 7, Haruna 6, Castor 4, Belgica 2, Pasamante 0, San Juan 0, Pajarillaga 0.
Quarters: 24-14, 45-28, 61-44, 78-69.