Chiefs seize lead after Lions falter

LETRAN’S Jom Sollano forces a shot off Perpetual Help’s Jeffrey Coronel and Bright Akhuetie in yesterday’s game.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

ARELLANO University found itself alone on top as the dust settled after yesterday’s crucial battles in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament.

With top playmaker Jio Jalalon sparkling down the stretch, the Chiefs survived the rash of reversals on a day when Jose Rizal and Letran boosted their respective Final Four bids at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jalalon poured 15 of his 33 points in the final period as the Chiefs slipped past the Lyceum Pirates, 78-75, to seize the solo lead at 11-3 from San Beda Red Lions and the Perpetual Help Altas, whose march to the postseason hit a snag after stinging losses.

The Heavy Bombers found their rhythm early on their way to an emphatic 97-88 victory over the Lions.

The Knights, meanwhile, proved steadier down the stretch as they toppled the Altas, 69-63, to stay alive in the race for the Final Four.

It marked the first time in coach Vergel Meneses’ tenure at JRU that the Bombers completed a season sweep of the Lions, whom they torched for 11 triples.

“Overall it wasn’t about our outside shots, but our passing and being unselfish,” said Meneses, whose team’s protest of the 60-63 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College last week was junked by the NCAA management committee earlier yesterday.

Rey Nambatac bailed out the Knights anew, finishing with 26 points, but his most important contribution turned out to be a steal off the Altas’ inbound pass with nine seconds remaining, preserving the victory.

“It’s a good win for us, but we haven’t achieved anything yet and we’re playing catch-up,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.

The Lions, who trailed by as many as 27 points in the second half, slid to second with an 11-4 record with games against Lyceum, Perpetual Help and Arellano remaining in their schedule. The Altas kept third on a 10-4 slate.

The scores:

First Game

ARELLANO 78—Jalalon 33, Flores 15, Salado 13, Aguilar 5, Viloria 3, Zamora 3, Cadavis 2, Enriquez 2, Gumaru 1, Holts 1, Meca 0, Nichols 0.

LYCEUM 75—Ayaay 18, Marata 15, Nzeusseu 14, Caduyac 7, Soliman 6, Gabayni 5, Baltazar 4, Alban 3, Magbuhos 2, Rubite 1, Bulawan 0, Malabanan 0.

Quarters: 17-11, 36-29, 55-55, 78-75

Second Game

JRU 97—Teodoro 28, Dela Virgen 20, Cruz 11, Poutouochi 10, Grospe 10, Pontejos 6, A-Wahab 6, Dela Paz 4, Lasquete 2.

SAN BEDA 88—Mocon 26, Sara 13, Noah 11, Bolick 10, Potts 9, Soberano 5, Tongco 5, Oftana 5, Presbitero 2, Adamos 2, Bahio 0, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0.

Quarters: 33-18, 56-34, 79-57, 97-88

Third Game

LETRAN 69—Nambatac 26, Quinto 12, Sollano 11, Balanza 11, Apreku 4, Ambohot 4, Calvo 1, Bernabe 0, Balagasay 0, Sario 0, Pambid 0.

PERPETUAL 63—Akhuetie 15, Coronel 12, Singontiko 8, Pido 8, Dagangon 7, Eze 6, Dizon 5, Sadiwa 2, Ylagan 0, Hao 0.

Quarters: 13-13, 39-24, 54-47, 69-63