Jalalon Lifts Arellano Over San Beda in Finals Rematch

Arellano's Jiovani Jalalon celebrates after nailing a three-pointer against San Beda. Photo by Mark Cristino for ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Jiovani Jalalon waxed hot in the fourth quarter and lifted the Arellano University Chiefs over the San Beda College Red Lions, 88-84, in a rematch of last season's finalists to end the first round of the NCAA Season 91 men's basketball tournament on Tuesday at the San Juan Arena.

The Chiefs were swept by the Red Lions in two games in the Season 90 Finals, but Arellano got a measure of revenge with a hard-fought win that allowed them to end the first round of the tournament in fourth place.

Jalalon scored 22 points to go along with six rebounds, eight assists, and four steals for another splendid all-around performance, while Dioncee Holts added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals, and made the game-clinching free throws with 1.3 seconds to go.

"It's a big win. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, just play your very best. Sacrifice your bodies for Ola (Adeogun), (Donald) Tankoua, and Art (Dela Cruz)," Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera said after the game.

The Chiefs trailed 55-61 heading into the final quarter as a fired up San Beda squad leaned on Tankoua and Dela Cruz to take the advantage.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Michael Salado and Zachary Nicholls tied the game at 61, and after Tankoua's putback gave the Red Lions a 63-61 lead, Jalalon took over. His back-to-back triples highlighted a 12-3 run that helped the Chiefs take a 73-66 advantage with 6:29 remaining.

"Sinubukan ko talaga itira 'yung three-points, kasi naalala ko 'yung sinabi nila sa akin na kapag malayo 'yung tao, tirahan mo," said Jalalon after the game.

"Sinubukan ko noong una, tapos 'yung pangalawa, pumasok din. Sobrang saya."

Arellano's lead ballooned to 11 points in the fourth quarter, 84-73, with 3:16 left after a lay-up by Allen Enriquez that came off a feed by Michael Salado.

The Red Lions still threatened, unleashing an 8-0 run that made it a three-point game with still 39.1 seconds left. Dela Cruz's three-point play capped the run, making it an 81-84 contest. But Dela Cruz's three-point try with less than 30 seconds to go went in-and-out, and the Red Lions flubbed another chance to cut into the deficit when Holts stole a rebound off Tankoua with 4.1 seconds left.

Ranbill Tongco's corner triple with 1.5 seconds left made it a two-point game, 84-86, but Holts coolly drained two charities to ice the contest.

"At least, nakabawi kami sa talo namin noong finals," Jalalon said after the game.

Arellano got off to a blistering start and led by as much as 10 points in the first half, 41-31, though the Red Lions made it a four-point game, 37-41, at halftime.

It was an eventful break, however. Adeogun was seen smashing the fiberglass door of the San Beda dugout due to frustration over an offensive foul call.

Adeogun was warned for resentment to a call at the start of the third, while San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin was called for a technical foul for continuous complaining. Meanwhile, Arellano's Julius Cadavis was also warned for faking a foul.

The fired up Red Lions took charge in the third period, with Tankoua scoring 12 points in that quarter alone. He sparked a 9-0 run that gave San Beda a 46-42 lead with 7:34 to go in the frame. The Chiefs cut the deficit to two points twice, 50-52 and 55-57, but back-to-back lay-ups by JoseMari Presbitero and Tankoua made it a 61-55 game heading into the last quarter.

Jalalon took control in the final quarter, however, orchestrating the run that gave Arellano the lead for good.

Tankoua led the Red Lions with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Dela Cruz added 11 points, 13 boards, and seven assists before fouling out late.

San Beda lost for the second time in the first round, putting their record at 7-2, one game behind the league-leading Letran College. Arellano finished the first round with a 6-3 record, good for fourth place.

The scores:

AU 88 – Jalalon 22, Holts 21, Salado 14, Enriquez 12, Nicholls 6, Gumaru 5, Cadavis 4, Bangga 2, Tano 2, Capara 0, Meca 0, Ortega 0, Zamora 0.

SBC 84 – Tankoua 20, Sara 16, Dela Cruz 11, Adeogun 10, Koga 8, Tongco 6, Mocon 4, Soberano 3, Reyes 2, Presbitero 2, Sorela 2, Cabanag 0, Bonsubre 0.

Quarter-scoring: 30-20, 41-37, 55-61, 88-84.

From abs-cbnnews Website: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/18/15/jalalon-lifts-arellano-over-san-beda-finals-rematch 
By Camille B. Naredo