Chiefs blast Bombers, toughen bid for no. 1

Arellano Chiefs’ Kent Salado and Jiovani Jalalon. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Arellano University tightened its hold of the top spot after a 79-68 win over Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Chiefs leaned on their star backcourt Kent Salado and Jio Jalalon anew to cruise to their 13th win against only three losses.

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“Maganda yung focus from start to end. Meron talaga silang rally with Pontejos and Teodoro pero sabi ko lang sa team, just hang in there, tiyagain niyo lang,” said Arellano head coach Jerry Codiñera.

Salado and Jalalon combined for 40 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.

But it wasn’t just the two guards who showed up for Arellano with Donald Gumari and athletic big man Lervin Flores also giving the team a lift.

READ: Perpetual snaps Arellano’s 7-game winning run

Gumaru had 11 points and three assists while Lervin Flores chipped in seven points and 11 rebounds.

Paolo Pontejos unleashed a game-high 24 points, including six straight points that pulled the Heavy Bombers within five, 69-64, with 2:23 left.

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Feeling threatened, the Chiefs responded with a 10-4 finishing kick spearheaded by Jalalon and capped off with a couple of dunks from Flores.

With the loss, JRU is now on the verge of elimination with a 9-8 card.