Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Arellano kept itself in the Final Four race, staving off Emilio Aguinaldo College, 84-79, Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Michael Cañete unleashed a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Kent Salado fired 23 markers, five assists, and two boards as the Chiefs stayed alive with their 5-8 record.
With Arellano holding a slim 79-76 lead in the final 46.6 seconds, EAC still had a puncher’s chance until Francis Munsayac lost the ball to Kent Salado, who then passed the rock to Levi dela Cruz for an attempt.
Though Dela Cruz would miss the fastbreak drive, Jervin Guzman was whistled for a looseball foul in the rebound play which took the air out of the Generals.
The Chiefs took advantage of EAC’s 31 fouls as they shot 30-of-47 from the charity stripe, including a 12-of-18 clip in the final 5:23.
The Generals, in contrast, only shot 7-of-12 from the 15-foot line and even saw key players like Sidney Onwubere and Guzman foul out of the game.
“Until the end, you can’t be complacent,” quipped coach Jerry Codiñera.
Jerome Garcia went 3-of-8 from three to pace EAC (6-7) with 15 points and two rebounds, while Jethro Mendoza had 13 in the defeat.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 84 – Canete 27, Salado 23, Flores 16, Dela Cruz 13, Enriquez 3, Nicholls 2, Alcoriza 0, Meca 0, Concepcion 0, Taywan 0.
EAC 79 – Garcia 15, J. Mendoza 13, Guzman 12, Onwubere 10, Diego 9, Tampoc 8, Munsayac 4, Pascua 4, Bugarin 4, I. Mendoza 0, Neri 0, Corilla 0.
Quarters: 24-22, 46-36, 63-52, 84-79.