DIONCEE Holts and Lervin Flores of Arellano U gang up on Sidney Onwubere of EAC in their NCAA game yesterday at the Filoil Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
WITH San Beda losing its top big man and sliding to its second defeat two days ago, Jio Jalalon feels this season could be Arellano’s best chance to gain another crack at the NCAA crown.
A day after turning down the chance to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup to focus on the Chiefs’ title bid, Jalalon produced another virtuoso performance as the Chiefs wore down Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-74, yesterday to seize a share of top spot with San Beda in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Stamping his class, the 5-foot-10 Jalalon finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the Chiefs to their 10th win in 12 games that allowed them to pull level with the Red Lions.
Kent Salado came off the bench to pour 15 points and Lervin Flores dished out a double double with 10 points and 10 boards for the Chiefs, who pulled away in the final period on their way to pinning a ninth loss on the Generals.
EAC drew 18 points from Remy Morada.
The victory proved crucial for the Chiefs to gain separation from the Perpetual Help Altas, who are hot on their tails after a 70-45 drubbing of the St. Benilde Blazers.
The loss sent the Blazers to their worst start since joining the league in 1998. St. Benilde’s previous worst start was in 2004 when it opened the season with 11 losses in row.
The Scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 70 —Akhuetie 15, Dagangon 12, Dizon 11, Eze 9, Coronel 9, Sadiwa 6, Singontiko 3, Gallardo 2, Hao 2, Mangalino 0, Oliveria 0, Pido 0, Ilagan 0, Yuhico 0.
ST. BENILDE 45—Domingo JJ 19, Young 8, Dixon 4, Fajarito 4, Saavedra 3, Castor 2, Belgica 0, Pajarillaga 0, Pasamante 0, San Juan 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 34-28, 52-35, 70-45.
Second Game
ARELLANO 83 —Jalalon 21, Salado 15, Flores 10, Meca 9, Villoria 8, Gumaru 6, Holts 6, Enriquez 5, Cadavis 2, Aguilar 1, Canete 0, Gupilan 0, Nicholls 0
EAC 74—Morada 17, Laminou 16, Onwubere 11, King 10, Diego 8, Guzman 6, Munsayac 4, Neri 2, General 0, Mendoza 0, Pascua 0, Serrano 0
Quarters: 21-18, 37-35, 64-60, 83-74