NCAA: Arellano wins first game under Aban, trumps JRU

Arellano University etched its first win under its new head coach after turning back Jose Rizal University, 86-70, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Chiefs improved to a 5-10 card four games into the tenure of interim head coach Junjie Aban, who replaced Jerry Codiñera late September.

Arellano, which stayed at the sixth spot, easily dispatched the bottom-dwelling Heavy Bombers going on a 25-7 start in the first quarter and never looking back.

“I think we played good defense today and the players executed our game plan well,” said Aban in Filipino. “The players were tuned in even into the smallest of details.”

“I told them that they clearly wanted this win.”

Levi Dela Cruz led the Chiefs with 19 points while Michael Canete had a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Rence Alcoriza added 11 points to Arellano’s offense while Guilmer Dela Torre and Dariel Bayla had 10 points apiece.

Leo Esguerra had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Heavy Bombers while JR Aguilar had his own double-double of 12 points and 18 boards.