The Arellano University Chiefs are hungry for wins as they are coming into the second round with a 1-8 record. It is no easy task as they first went up against the No. 2 seed, the San Beda University Red Lions, to start the second round of the NCAA Season 99 Senior Men’s Basketball tournament.
The AU Chiefs started hot with team captain Dani Mallari scoring the first 5 points for the Chiefs while rookie Felix Villarente drilled in a three, cutting the San Beda University Red Lions lead to 1-point, four minutes into the game. However the Red Lions remained aggressive and continued to attack the basket. The Red Lions were relentless in getting the rebounds for second chance points. The first quarter ended 17-24 in favor of the Red Lions.
The Chiefs struggled in the second quarter with the Red Lions dominating the rebounds along with second chance points. However the Chiefs showed grit, chipping the lead slowly. Basti Valencia and rookie RV Yanes gave the Chiefs an offensive and defensive boost, keeping the lead in a two-possession game. JL Capulong played quality minutes, orchestrating a 3-point play to cut the lead of the Red Lions into three points with 6:30 left into the second quarter. Shortly after two free throw misses from the Red Lions, AU Chief T-mc Ongotan, chipped in a two from a fast break, cutting the lead into a single digit. Capulong stayed aggressive, and dropped in another two-pointer keeping the lead of the Red Lions within reach. Ongotan stayed aggressive on defense, with a highlight block. However, the Red Lions remained calm under pressure, continuing their pace and building their lead. The second quarter ended 35-43 in favor of the Red Lions.
At the half, the Chiefs were trailing behind the Red Lions, with 38% field goals to the Red Lions’ 42%. The Red Lions dominated in terms of offensive rebounds and second chance points, 14-6 and 10-6 respectively. The Chiefs’ leading scorers at the half were team captain Dani Mallari with 10 points, JL Capulong with 6 points, and Basti Valencia with 5 points.
The Chiefs coming into the third quarter stayed aggressive in their defense, however the Red Lions were equally as aggressive in their offense, maximizing their lead to as big as 11 points with 5:31 left into the quarter. However, it was Valencia’s 2-point play along with Josh Dela Cruz’s tip-in to the basket that ignited the spark for the Chiefs. With 3:40 left into the quarter, Yanes sank in a triple, cutting the lead of the Red Lions to a single digit and giving the Chiefs a 9-0 run. The Chiefs stayed aggressive, with Yanes tying the game 51-51 with a reverse move then sinking a long jumper giving the Chiefs the lead for the first time in the game. The Chiefs had a 15-0 run, before the Red Lions stopped the bleeding with 1:15 left into the quarter. The Chiefs continued their strong defense, especially with Joshua Dela Cruz boosting the Chiefs’ defensive effort. They ended the third quarter out scoring the Red Lions 22-10, giving the Chiefs the lead 57-53.
It was a close quarter during the fourth, with neither team able to pull away. It wasn’t until the Red Lions were able to score consecutively, giving them the lead at 58-64 with 5:55 left into the fourth quarter. The Chiefs, however, showed resilience, they kept their defense and were patient with their offense. AU Chief rookie, Ernjay Geronimo, shot the jumper cutting the lead of the Red Lions to four-points. It was then that AU Chief veteran Jade Talampas, heated up shooting 3 crucial three-pointers, cutting the lead of the Red Lions to a single point. With less than 15 seconds into the quarter, Valencia took the offensive rebound and spotted Talampas who shot the game winning three pointer.
Talampas was named player of the game. He had 4/4 three pointers in the fourth quarter, 4/6 in total for the whole game. With a stellar performance of 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals.
It has been 9 years (2014), since the AU Chiefs had defeated the San Beda University Red Lions. They have ended their four game losing streak and entered the second round on a high note.
Scores:
Arellano 74 - Talampas 18, Yanes 11, Mallari 10, Valencia 10, Capulong 8, Ongotan 5, Villarente 4, Geronimo 4, Sunga 2, Dela Cruz 2, Rosalin 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-24; 35-43; 57-53; 74-72.
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