Arellano adds to JRU’s woes, cruises to 7th win

Arellano University’s Jio Jalalon . Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Arellano had an easy time disposing Jose Rizal U, 89-69, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jiovani Jalalon showed once again why he is one of the premier point guards today, leading the Chiefs with 23 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.

Kent Salado had 13 markers and four boards, while Lervin Flores got 12 points and eight rebounds in the win.

“Ang ganda ng defensive adjustment namin kay (Paolo) Pontejos at (Tey) Teodoro and nag-work naman. Na-limit namin sila sa touches because we know they’re capable of scoring 20 points every game. Very unpredictable yung dalawa so we just focused sa energy nila and try to keep up with them,” said coach Jerry Codinera.

Arellano didn’t break a sweat in the first half. It capitalized on JRU’s poor start, racing to a 20-point halftime lead, 47-27, and even extending it to as high as 28, 87-59, late in the fourth.

The Chiefs grabbed a share of the second place with Perpetual at 7-2, but Codinera refused to be heralded as one of the favorites this season despite their fourth straight victory.

“Di rin kami ang malakas dito. We will do everything to win as much games as possible,” he said.

Abdel Poutouochi paced JRU (3-5) with 15 points and four rebounds in the loss.

The Scores:

ARELLANO 89 – Jalalon 23, Salado 13, Flores 12, Villoria 9, Nicholls 6, Enriquez 6, Holts 5, Meca 4, Cadavis 4, Zamora 4, Gumaru 2, Canete 1, Aguilar 0, Rivera 0, Gupilan 0.
JRU 69 – Poutouochi 15, Abdul Wahab 7, Grospe 7, Cruz 7, Evardo 7, Dada 5, Teodoro 4, Pontejos 4, Dela Paz 3, Mendoza 3, Dela Virgen 3, Lasquety 2, Astilla 2, Caballero 0, Salaveria 0.

Quarters: 20-14, 47-27, 61-44, 89-69.