Arellano Breezes Past CSB, Creates 4-way Logjam at 2nd Spot

Stopping Arellano U’s prized backcourt duo of Jiovani Jalalon and Kent Salado dead on their tracks in transition could have been part of St. Benilde guard Gerald Castor’s defensive plans.

From: foxsportsasia Website: http://www.foxsportsasia.com/basketball/news/detail/item461007/arellano-u-breezes-past-st-benilde-creates-4-way-logjam-2nd-spot/ 

But the Blazers playmaker found himself on the wrong end of an unrelenting attack, with the Chiefs top guns displaying a flawless touch passing that culminated with an easy Jalalon layup off a Salado feed.

That customary practice drill highlighted what turned out to be a trouble-free 70-59 victory by Arellano U over St. Benilde on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City, leading to a four-way tie at second spot in the 92nd NCAA seniors basketball tourney.

The 5-foot-10 Jalalon produced another all-around performance of 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals while Zach Nichols and Salado came up with at least 11 markers each as the Chiefs cruised to their second straight victory and fifth overall in seven matches, tying defending champion Letran, Mapua and Perpetual Help at second spot in the process.

Big man Christian Fajarito collected 20 markers and 12 rebounds but he and the rest of the Blazers failed to dug themselves out of an early 0-13 hole, leading to their eighth straight setback in as many matches.

“Pagdating pa lang dito, sinabi ko na sa sarili ko na kailangan namin mag-enjoy,” said Jalalon during the post-match interview, smiling from ear-to-ear following their wire-to-wire victory that had them leading by as many as 22 points. “Kinausap ko rin si Salado na kailangan naming maglaro at tulungan muna ‘yung mga teammates namin.”

Benefiting the most from that ploy was big man Julius Cadavis, who immediately shone as a starter by coming up with a near double-double efforts of eight points and 12 rebounds on top of three rebounds and a steal in 20 minutes of action.

“I tried to give exposure sa ibang mga players to let them feel the kind of NCAA play,” said Arellano U coach Jerry Codiñera. “Medyo nag-a-adjust pa ‘yung iba. I just told them to have a quality game and don’t look at the scores.”

The Blazers fell behind by 13 points in the first half and pulled the closest at eight twice early in the third before the Chiefs uncorked yet another blinding run, highlighted by that Jalalon-Salado passing exchange, to pull away for good.

The scores:

ARELLANO U (70) – Jalalon 16, Nicholls 14, Salado 11, Cadavis 8, Holts 6, Viloria 6, Flores 4, Gumaru 3, Meca 2, Enriquez 0, Zamora 0, Canete 0, Gupilan 0 Aguilar 0.

ST. BENILDE (59) – Fajarito 20, Belgica 12, Haruna 9, San Juan 8, Pajarillaga 4, Castor 2, Dixon 2, Sta. Maria 2, Young 0, Pasamante 0, Domingo JJ 0, Domingo JS 0.

Quarterscores: 16-4, 30-18, 60-40, 70-59.