JUSTIN Arana carried Arellano on his back in the closing minutes as the Chiefs arrested a three-game skid with a 72-63 victory over the Mapua Cardinals on Sunday in the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament at La Salle Greenhills.
The senior center delivered 17 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks for the Chiefs.
Justin Arana takes charge
Jordan Sta. Ana added 15 points and seven assists, Kai Oliva got 10 points, and Axel Doromal also had nine as Arellano survived a tenacious Mapua rally after losing grip of a 14-point third quarter lead, 53-39.
The Cardinals would get to as close as two, 62-60, after an Adrian Nocum bucket in the final 4:11, but that was when Arana went to work for the Chiefs, scoring six in their 10-3 finishing kick.
"Nakaahon din," said Arellano coach Cholo Martin. "Yan ang kailangan dahil sa standings. Yan ang pinaglalaban ng mga bata, na makaangat kami dahil pag hindi, maiiwan kami."
Mapua suffered its second straight loss after its 3-0 start.
Warren Bonifacio topped the Cardinals with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The scores:
Arellano 72 - Arana 17, Sta. Ana 15, Oliva 10, Doromal 9, Doromal 9, Carandang 6, Sablan 4, Uri 4, Caballero 3, Cruz 2, Dela Cruz 2, Valencia 0.
Mapua 63 - Bonifacio 11, Pido 9, Nocum 9, Garcia 8, Agustin 7, Gamboa 7, Hernandez 7, Lacap 5, Mercado 0, Asuncion 0, Sual 0, Salenga 0, Milan 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19; 41-35; 56-48; 72-63.
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