BASTI Valencia scored six straight points down the stretch of Arellano University’s 81-77 come-from-behind win over Jose Rizal University, Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Chief’s team captain instigated a 10-2 run down the stretch to reverse the tide and give the team its third win in its last four outings.
Arellano improved to 6-9 as it continued to fan its hopes of clinching one of the two remaining Final Four berths in the league’s centennial season.
Valencia finished with a game-high 25 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while punctuating the Arellano run with a banked shot in the final 12 seconds that clinched victory for the Chiefs.
“Right now andun kami sa time na we need to be consistent and yung will to win na nakukuha na rin namin,” said Arellano coach Chico Manabat, who was heartily cheered on at the sidelines by wife, volleyball superstar Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
“Step by step. Sabi nga magbubunga rin talaga.”
Tmac Ongotan had 10 of his 17 points in the final quarter, while adding six rebounds for the Chiefs, including two free throws that made it a four-point contest for Arellano in the final minute.
Em Geronimo and Lorenz Capulong were the other players in double figures for Arellano with 12 and 10 respectively. The 6-foot-5 Capulong also had six rebounds and three blocked shots, one of which came against Ivan Panapanaan in the final 34 seconds and the Chiefs just up a possession, 79-77.
It was the fifth loss in six second round outings for Jose Rizal, which kissed its Final Four hopes goodbye along with San Sebastian College, both of which are in the bottom of the standings with similar 4-11 slates.
The Heavy Bombers were led by Joshua Guiab with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Jose Rizal led by as many as 22-10 in the first period and was still in front, 75-71, in the final four minutes when Arellano began to make its move behind the scoring run of Valencia.
The scores
Arellano 81 - Valencia 25, Ongotan 17, Geronimo 12, Capulong 10, Camay 9, Vinoya 2, Borromeo 2, Hernal 2, Miller 1, Libang 1, Abiera 0, Flores 0.
Jose Rizal 77 - Guiab 20, Argente 15, Barrera 14, Raymundo 9, Bernardo 6, De Leon 5, Ramos 3, De Jesus 3, Sarmiento 2, Panapanaan 0, Pangilinan 0, Mosqueda 0, Ferrer 0.
Quarters; 15-24; 41-40; 57-62; 81-77.
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