Without two of its key players, Arellano University still came on top against Jose Rizal University, 62-52, in NCAA Season 98 on Sunday.
Arellano, playing without big man Cade Flores and Shane Menina, snapped its two-game skid to improve to 6-8 while JRU dropped to an even 6-6 slate.
Axel Doromal scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Chiefs. He scored eight in Arellano's strong third quarter and accounted for five of his team's nine points in the final period.
Travis Mantua added 12 markers, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Lars Sunga added nine points.
After a tight affair in the first half, Arellano turned things around in the third where they unleashed 26 points while limiting JRU to just 16.
Sunga, Mantua, and Doromal connived to fuel a 24-11 run to open the frame as the Chiefs managed to build a 12-point lead, 51-39.
In the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from John Amores then brought the Heavy Bombers back to within six, 56-50, but Doromal made a crucial layup for a 58-52 upper hand in the final 1:26.
Doromal and Mantua then sank two free throws each as Arellano exacted its revenge on its first round tormentor JRU.
In the absence of Flores, Danielle Mallari and Kai Oliva stepped up in the rebounding battle, combining to grab 18 rebounds between them.
John Amores was JRU's top scorer with 12 points while also tallying 13 rebounds and two blocks. No other Heavy Bomber reached double figures in scoring.
The scores:
Arellano 62 - Doromal 17, Mantua 12, Sunga 9, Abastillas 8, Mallari 5, Oliva 5, Talampas 3, Tolentino 3, Oftana 0.
JRU 52 - Amores 12, Dionisio 9, Miranda 8, Guiab 6, Delos Santos 5, Sy 5, Dela Rosa 3, Arenal 2, Celis 2, Medina 0, Tan 0.
Quarters: 17-20, 27-28, 53-44, 62-52.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
