Braves Rise to Solo First Heading Into Rivalry Game with Robins

THE CLIMB. Arellano is following up their breakout last season with a 5-0 start this time around.

From sports.abs-cbn Website: http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2016/07/14/braves-rise-first-heading-rivalry-game-robins-13297 
By Norman Lee Benjamin Riego

TEAM STANDINGS
ARELLANO 5-0
MALAYAN 4-0
SAN BEDA 4-0
CSB-LSGH 3-1
LETRAN 2-3
PERPETUAL 2-3
LPU 1-3
JRU 1-3
EAC 0-4
SAN SEBASTIAN 0-5

For the first time in the 92nd Season of the NCAA Juniors Basketball Tournament, there is a clear number one.

Arellano University is that clear number one after scoring their fifth win in as many games, but not before being pushed to the limit.

Figuring in their most competitive contest in the season thus far, the Braves relied on a still red-hot Guillmer Dela Torre to fend off fighting Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 87-75, on Thursday at the San Juan Arena.

Uncorking a 20-9 burst, the Squires turned a six-point halftime deficit into a 57-54 lead at the three-minute mark of the third. It was at that point, however, that Dela Torre took over.

Arellano had for themselves a 20-6 counter that re-established a 74-63 advantage inside the last eight minutes. All but three points there was courtesy of Dela Torre who scored any way he wanted – even capping off the run with back-to-back treys that were well-defended.

The Braves’ scoring dynamo wound up with 30 points and 10 rebounds in the latest triumph that gives them a leg up on San Beda High School and Malayan Institute of Technology – both 4-0, but also both idle.

Arellano won’t have much time to wallow in their extended winning streak, however, as they battle the Red Robins in a crucial contest on Monday. The former eliminated the later in the playoffs last season.

On the other hand, Letran suffered their second straight setback that dropped them to a fifth-place tie at 2-3.

Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help kept San Sebastian College-Recoletos winless through five games via a 57-45 decision. Jielo Razon and Lance De Leon combined for 24 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists to help the Junior Altas improve to 2-3.

BOX SCORES

ARELLANO 87 – Dela Torre 30, Sunga 17, Fermin 10, Abadeza 8, De Leon 7, Espiritu 5, Dulatre 3, Batiller 2, Tamayo 2, Dimaunahan 2, Velasco 1, Danas 0, Rivera 0, Fornis 0, Camarillo 0

LETRAN 75 – David 12, Tamayo 11, Villanueva M 10, Cordero 9, Monje 8, De Loyola 8, Boffa 6, Dolendo 5, Labrador 4, Villanueva E 2, Reyson 0, Culanay 0

QUARTER SCORES: 21-19, 43-37, 63-59, 87-75