Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kent Salado was the hero Arellano needed and on Tuesday, he made sure everyone knew.
The speedy playmaker drained the game-winning one-hander with 0.3 seconds to spare over the outstretched arms of Abdel Poutouochi to carry the Chiefs to a thrilling 73-72 overtime victory over Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“We’re so happy and I don’t know how to describe it,” remarked coach Jerry Codiñera. “The game was so intense and it was a huge character builder for us because we built our trust on each other.”
Salado fired 25 points, on top of eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals to lead Arellano to its second win in three outings.
SALADO WINS IT! #NCAASeason93 pic.twitter.com/tti4bQGFKA
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) July 18, 2017
Despite his impressive showing, the Cagayan de Oro-born guard almost went down as the goat as he muffed two freebies with 9.8 seconds left in regulation which could have iced the game.
JRU took advantage as Tey Teodoro recovered the ball in the waning seconds and found Jed Mendoza who banked the game-tying trey from the left wing with 0.2 ticks left to send the game to overtime at 62-all.
Zach Nicholls also found his range, shooting 3-of-7 from beyond the arc to wound up with 13 markers and four boards, while Lervin Flores got seven points and 15 rebounds in the victory.
It was a tough outing for Mendoza, who split his freebies to put the Heavy Bombers up by one, 72-71, with 4.0 seconds remaining in the extra period, but saw his efforts go down the drain no thanks to Salado’s superb finish.
MJ Dela Virgen topscored for JRU (1-2) with 15 points and four rebounds, while Tey Teodoro also collected 15 markers and three boards before going down with cramps in overtime.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 73 – Salado 25, Nicholls 13, Flores 7, Enriquez 6, Canete 6, Meca 4, Villoria 4, Ongolo Ongolo 4, Alcoriza 4, Dela Cruz 0, Rivera 0, Padilla 0, Concepcion 0, Abanes 0.
JRU 72 – Dela Virgen 15, Teodoro 15, Poutouochi 11, Grospe 10, Mendoza 9, Abdul Razak 4, Lasquety 3, David 2, Castor 2, Bordon 1.
Quarters: 15-17, 28-35, 44-48, 62-62, 73-72.