Arellano Chiefs in the NCAA season 98.
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Arellano survived a feisty Perpetual Help, 61-59, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Friday.
The Chiefs repulsed a strong third quarter attack from the Altas and hung tough down the stretch, thanks to crucial baskets from Arellano’s backcourt.
“They checked our defense in the third so we had to change it. Actually, for Perpetual, we prepared two defenses for today, our man-to-man and 1-2-2 zone,” Arellano head coach Cholo Martin said.
Arellano chased Perpetual in the fourth quarter to tie, 55-all, with 2:13 remaining.
Then Axel Doromal and Shane Menina converted a jumper and a layup, respectively, to put the Chiefs in front for good, 59-56, with 1:22 remaining.
Doromal and Menina tallied 19 and 13 points respectively for Arellano, which moved up the standings with a 2-1 record.
The Altas, who dropped to a 1-1 card, trailed after a slow first half, 24-27, before unloading a pivotal 20-9 run to overtake the Chiefs, 44-36, in the third.
But Perpetual Help ran out of steam when it mattered most, failing to follow up on its win over Jose Rizal U.
Kim Aurin flirted with a double-double on a losing effort for the Altas, posting 27 markers and nine rebounds.