Arellano U Escapes Mapua in Overtime

Dioncee Holts and Jiovani Jalalon carried the Arellano University Chiefs past the Mapua Cardinals to move up the standings ladder to third spot with a 3-1 record.

American Dioncee Holts finally woke up from a scoring coma and Jiovani Jalalon had another productive outing to help the Arellano University Chiefs survive a thrilling 100-96 overtime win over the Mapua Cardinals on Friday in the 91st NCAA seniors basketball competition at The Arena in San Juan.

The sophomore big man after a series of sub-par performances scored 25 points, including five in the extension, and grabbed 12 rebounds for last year’s runner up.

Jalalon, part of the Gilas cadets that won gold in the 28th Southeast Asian Games last month, finished with 26 markers, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals off the bench for the Chiefs, now on solo third spot with a 3-1 win-loss record.

Zach Nicholls registered 16 points and was again lights out from the outside, sinking five three-pointers with his biggest in the last 22. 4 seconds of regulation to push Arellano’s lead to 84-81. Rookie Michael Salado also delivered for the Jerry Codinera-mentored troop, chipping in five of his 12 points in overtime with six assists, five rebounds and four steals.

“I know Mapua is a big test for the team. Before the game I said to the team that I hope we survive this game,” said Codinera. “Yun nga see-saw battle so I’m just hoping for the second group to withstand the pressure and nagawa naman nila.”

Arellano held an 81-76 lead with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals tied it at 81 on a floater by Josan Nimes with 49 seconds remaining. Nicholls gave the lead back to the Chiefs with a triple on the left elbow off a kick out pass by Salado.

Exequiel Biteng knotted the game at 84 with a booming left corner triple with 16.7 ticks left in regulation.

The Chiefs had a chance to take the win but Allen Enriquez overshoots hits open jumper from the right corner.

Biteng again evened the game at 89 with an outside bomb with 3:09 remaining in the overtime. Holts’ jumper and Salado’s consecutive basket and trey pushed Arellano’s lead to seven and the Chiefs held their ground to escape with the win.

Allwell Oraeme had 18 points, 17 rebounds and three steals for Arellano. Nimes, who was bloodied with cut on above his left eye after colliding with Salado in the closing minute of the extension, got 17 while Carlos Isit and Biteng scored 13 and 12, respectively for Mapua, now buried in 1-3 card tied with College of St. Benilde in eighth to ninth spot.

Box score:

Arellano U 100- Jalalon 26, Holts 25, Nicholls 16, Salado 12, Bangga 5, Gumaru 5, Cadavis 4, Tano 3, Meca 2, Enriquez 2, Ortega 0, de Guzman 0

Mapua 96- Oraeme 18, Nimes 17, Isit 13, Raflores 12, Biteng 12, Nieles 9, Stevens 5, Serrano 4, Menina 4, Aguirre 2, Villasenor 0, Que 4, Brana 0, Layug 0, dela Rosa 0

Quarterscores: 20-all; 360-38; 64-66; 84-all; 100-96

From sports.abs-cbn.com Website: http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2015/07/17/arellano-u-escapes-mapua-overtime-3437