MANILA, Philippines – Arellano overcame a listless start to stun Perpetual Help, 63-54, Monday and end a two-game slide in the NCAA Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Head coach Koy Banal commended his team’s defense which limited the Altas to just 10 points in the fourth quarter.
“We played a very horrible game against San Sebastian but these guys stepped up and we were able to bounce back,” said Banal, whose squad notched only its third win in eight games.
The Chiefs, who started the game trailing, 0-12, went on an 8-0 run capped by a Prince Caperal basket that stretched their lead to nine, 61-52, with 1:25 left.
Perpetual Help got cold after a back-and-forth battle up to the midway mark of the fourth period.
Vergel Zulueta and John Pinto carried Arellano down the stretch.
John Pinto, Arellano’s crafty guard, had game-highs of 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists while Zulueta scored half of his eight points during the game’s crucial stretch.
Jett Vidal and Babayemi had 13 points apiece.
Vidal though hardly made his presence felt in the second half and went scoreless in the fourth period as Arellano tightened up on defense.
Prince Caperal also had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Altas ended the first round of eliminations with 6-3.