Arellano’s JL Capulong at the free throw line during a game against Lyceum in NCAA Season 100.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
JL Capulong is fast evolving into somebody the Arellano Chiefs can firmly lean on.
The beefy 6-foot-6 inside operator was no doubt the anchor when they hunted down the defending champion San Beda Red Lions two weeks back.
Capulong again got into the thick of the skirmish in a 91-86 victory over the Lyceum Pirates on Saturday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament, as the Chiefs improved to 4-8.
“I was told by the coaches to maximize our advantage in the middle. That trust definitely gave me the confidence,’’ said Capulong in Filipino after finishing with a career-high 30 points that went with 16 rebounds against the outmatched and undersized Lyceum frontline.
Also amazing was Capulong’s ability to shoot from midrange with somebody on his face while also being deadly with one-handed tosses near the paint.
“If I use two hands, I might miss my shots,’’ he said.
King Gurtiza also registered a career-high in the second game, carrying Emilio Aguinaldo College to a 101-94 win over San Sebastian College that forged a three-way tie at fourth spot.
“I wasn’t as aggressive in my last game, so I made up for that. My goal is for my team to enter the Final Four and create a legacy for our school,’’ said Gurtiza, the graduating shooting guard who scored 27 points on top of five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
The Generals now flaunt a 6-6 record like the Letran Knights and the Pirates.
Guards play big
After snapping an eight-game slide against Jose Rizal on Wednesday, the Stags fell again with their ninth defeat in 12 games despite Tristan Felebrico’s 30 points.
Arellano also got the goods from guards Maverick Vinoya and Ernest Geronimo, who drive through the teeth of the Lyceum defense to break an 86-all tie.
Vinoya then drained the next Arellano basket.
The exciting game turned horrific near the end, when Lyceum’s JM Bravo suffered a feared concussion with eight seconds left after banging heads with Arellano’s Renzo Abierra.
Bravo, who scored 17 points, was motionless for a few minutes and was stretchered out of the floor, regaining consciousness only inside the team locker room. He was later brought to a nearby hospital for CT scan tests.