Arellano pads streak to 7, holds off EAC

Jio Jalalon leads Arellano past EAC. Bright Akhuiete vs Blazer defender. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Arellano University kept its win streak alive and fended off a pesky Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-74, to take a share of the top spot in the NCAA Season 92 Men’s Basketball Tournament Thursday at San Juan Arena.

The Chiefs now share the no. 1 seed with San Beda after extending their win streak to seven and tacking home a 10th win against two losses.

“We are thankful we were able to get that feat, and it feels good kasi first time mangyari yung streak and I hope tuloy-tuloy na,” said Chiefs head coach Jerry Codiñera. “Sana hindi magsawa mga bata sa panalo.”

Arellano’s win, though, wasn’t a walk in the park.

Donald Gumaru’s fastbreak layup with 1:43 remaining gave the Chiefs a 79-73 lead but a two-possession buffer was too precarious for Codiñera’s liking.

“We were taking wild shots,” said Codiñera. “And ang daming mental mistakes.”

Jio Jalalon led the Chiefs with 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists but he labored for his shots hitting on a 7-of-19 clip.

Kent Salado had 15 points and nine boards to chip in for Arellano while Lervin Flores completed a 10-point, 10-board double-double.

Sidney Onwubere produced an 11-point, 18-rebound line for the 3-9 Generals.