Arellano University got into level ground after cruising past Jose Rizal University, 79-70, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Chiefs leveled their record to 3-3 to maintain their foothold at the fifth spot while sending the Heavy Bombers to a dismal 0-7 card.
It was a story of varying offenses between the two teams with Arellano enjoying the luxury of having five players carry the scoring load while JRU only had one Heavy Bomber who got it going offensively.
Maui Sera Josef led the Chiefs with 17 points and nine rebounds while Michael Canete had a similar line of 15 points and nine boards.
Arellano head coach Jerry Codiñera said he was relieved to have finally seen the right combination of a defense and offense from his team.
“It took us a while to see this but we finally found the right combination of defense and offense,” said Codiñera in Filipino whose team limited JRU to 26-of-63 shooting and came away with six steals.
Adrian Alban and Levi Dela Cruz had 14 points apiece to add to the Chiefs’ cause while Kent Segura pitched in 10 points.
Jed Mendoza carried JRU with 23 points, on 9-of-14-shooting, with Darius Estrella laboring for his seven points on 3-of-11 conversion.