NCAA: Peaking Arellano secures 4th place playoff

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Peaking at the right time, Arellano finished the eliminations with a 81-64 whipping of Mapua to secure at least a playoff for the last Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Even without lead guard Kent Salado for the second straight game, the Chiefs showed no letups as they coasted to their fourth straight win and ended the second round on an even 9-9 card.

Levi dela Cruz led the way for Arellano with 20 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Lervin Flores got 14 markers, seven boards, four dimes, and two blocks.

Zach Nicholls also continued his stupendous showing late in the season, firing 11 points powered by his two triples, to go with five rebounds.

“This game, which was postponed, is a bit of a blessing in disguise for us because this became our last game. So this is a big thing for us. We have a chance in the playoff,” said coach Jerry Codiñera.

Arellano can progress to the Final Four if Letran loses to St. Benilde and San Sebastian falls to Perpetual on Thursday.

However, with how things are standing, the Chiefs are poised to be in a fourth-place playoff if the Knights or the Golden Stags tie them at 9-9.

Arellano broke the floodgates in the second quarter as it jumped to a 39-28 halftime edge before extending the advantage to as high as 21, 76-55, with a Flores layup with 3:04 remaining.

Christian Buñag topped Mapua (3-15) with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Cedric Pelayo had nine markers and two rebounds.

Seniors Andoy Estrella and Leo Gabo also played their swansong for the Cardinals as they ended their campaign at the cellar on a three-game losing skid.

The Scores:

ARELLANO 81 – Dela Cruz 20, Flores 14, Nicholls 11, Alcoriza 8, Cañete 6, Enriquez 6, Viloria 5, Meca 4, Taywan 4, Abanes 3, Concepcion 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Padilla 0, Filart 0.

MAPUA 64 – Buñag 22, Pelayo 9, Victoria 8, Gabo 7, Estrella 6, Orquina 5, Raflores 4, Jimenez 3, Aguirre 0.

Quarters: 17-13, 39-28, 58-48, 81-64.