ARELLANO weathered a late uprising by Adamson to pull off an 80-71 triumph that extended its unbeaten start to four games yesterday even as Southwestern U pulled off the biggest upset in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
Sophomore guard John Pinto finished with 10 points and a tournament-high 14 assists as the Chiefs recovered just in time after watching their double-digit advantage get trimmed to just five at 75-70 in the last two minutes.
Playing their last elimination-round game, the Cobras downed reigning Collegiate Champions League winner University of Santo Tomas, 64-63, while Jose Rizal U barged into the win column with a come-from-behind 87-75 victory over St. Benilde.
Melvin Holper shone for the Cobras down the stretch, scoring on consecutive baskets as SWU took a 62-59 lead.
The Cobras went into the game on a two-win run, after losing their first five in the tournament. With a report from Nicolo Pascual
The scores:
First Game
JRU 87—Pontejos 22, Paniamogan 18, Mabulac 12, Lasquety 11, Abanto 8, Sanchez 6, Balagtas 5, De La Paz 3, Salaveria 2, Grospe 0, Diego 0, Porter 0
ST. BENILDE 75—Romero 15, Taha, Sinco 12, Grey 11, Ongtengco 7, Bartolo 7, Saavedra 5, Argamino 2, Jonson 2, Deles 0, Garcia 0, De Guzman 0, Lastimosa 0, Castor 0
Quarters: 12-25, 41-43, 69-52, 87-75
Second Game
SWU 64—Arong 16, Sanjo 11, Holper 10, Mohammed 9, Bregondo 7, Panerio 4, Bautista 2, Siewe 2, Goloran 2, Otida 1, Escobio 0, Ortega 0, Pajantoy 0
UST 63—Ferrer 12, Abdul 12, Teng 10, Mariano 9, Lo 7, Bautista 5, Pe 4, Daquioag 4, Hainga 0, Marata 0, Tan 0
Quarters: 12-13, 23-27, 47-45, 64-63
Third Game
ARELLANO 80—Forrester 16, Enriquez 13, Pinto 10, Salcedo 10, Hernandez 9, Caperal 7, Jalalon 4, Agovida 3, Cadavis 3, Nicholls 3, Bangga 2, Ruiz 0
ADAMSON 71—Cruz 24, Sewa 16, Brondial 15, Inigo 5, Monteclaro 3, Agustin 3, Trollano 2, Ochea 2, Cabigas 1, Petilos 0, Abrigo 0, Garcia 0
Quarters: 25-14, 43-29, 66-53, 80-71