Jade Talampas dropped three huge triples in the final quarter to tow Arellano University to a 74-72 upset win against San Beda University to snap their skid in the NCAA Season 99 on Friday.
The veteran gunner tallied 18 points, all of which he scored in the second half, to go with six rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the Chiefs halted their four-game dry spell.
Arellano improved to 2-8 while San Beda dropped to 7-3 and forged a tie with Lyceum of the Philippines University for the second spot.
James Payosing breathed life back to the Red Lions in the fourth, scoring seven straight points followed by an Emman Tagle layup as they retook the lead at 66-58 halfway through the period.
Prior to that huge run, the Chiefs were able to turn things around when Ralph Yanes and Talampas connived in the third to give Arellano a small separation, 55-51.
The upset-seeking Chiefs, however, continued to rally in the payoff period with hot-shooting Talampas nailing two crucial three-pointers to trim their deficit to one, 68-69, with 2:13 left in the clock.
Jomel Puno, who became silent in the second half after an 11-point outing in the first half, sank two important freebies but Talampas again dropped a triple over Puno's defense for a 71-72 affair in the final 37.2 ticks.
Talampas then stole the leather from Peter Alfaro down the stretch before he sank another one from the rainbow country to give the Chiefs a 74-72 cushion.
Yanes finished with 11 points and two rebounds while Dani Mallari and Troy Valencia each chipped in 10 markers as Arellano got its payback against San Beda, which dealt them an 85-61 loss in the first round.
Arellano spoiled Payosing's career-high performance of 20 points on top of right rebounds and one steal. Puno and Clifford Jopia once again paced San Beda with double-double outings with the rookie churning out 14 markers and 11 rebounds while the latter collected 11 markers and 18 boards.
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.
San Beda 72- Payosing 20, Puno 14, Jopia 11, Tagle 9, Alfaro 7, Cuntapay 6, Gallego 3, Cortez 2, Visser 0, Tagala 0, Llanera 0, Peregrina 0, Royo 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24; 35-43; 57-53; 74-72
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
