Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano University managed to fend off Mapua University in its opener in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament, but getting that 91-82 victory wasn’t all that pretty for the guys in blue.
The Chiefs had to endure more than six minutes of unfruitful basketball in the fourth quarter before finding the gap in the latter moments of the period.
Fastbreak layups clanked, jumpers bounced, and floaters flopped for the Chiefs, but a breakthrough happened in the final minutes when Arellano mounted an 11-3 game-closing run to take the matchup.
“Coach Jerry [Codiñera] told us that it’s okay for us to keep shooting even if it’s just two-pointers, as long as we’re able to shoot it,” said point guard Kent Salado who had 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
All those misses near the rim allowed the Chiefs to gobble up 48 total rebounds, and 21 of which were offensive ones.
Power forward Michael Cañete, who had 17 points and 12 boards, said they all had to pitch in no matter what and in whatever way they can.
“Coach told us to just shoot, even if it were just two-pointers, at least we can all contribute,” said Cañete.
And numbers back up the two players’ words.
Arellano attempted 37 shots in the paint, with only 19 going in. Going deeper, the Chiefs had 21 second-chance points as opposed to the Cardinals’ six.
