Arellano University caught San Beda University on a bad day, hacking out a nerve-wracking 72-70 win in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Chiefs overcame a deficit as big as 13 en route to the victory that hiked their standing to 2-5 while the Red Lions dropped to an even 3-3 record.
"Hinahayaan ko lang silang ma-experience 'yung ganong mga crucial games, it's part of the developmental na ginagawa namin sa Arellano and swerte kami kasi as early as now, na-experience na nila 'yung mga ganitong pressure," Arellano coach Chico Manabat said.
"Big fish. Sana magtuloy-tuloy."
Standing tall for the embattled Arellano squad was the towering 6-foot-6 JL Capulong, who poured in 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal while holding his own against the San Beda frontcourt led by Jomel Puno, Yukien Andrada, and Joe Celzo.
Down 67-64 late in the fourth, Arellano unleashed an 8-0 run instigated by five straight points from Ernest Geronimo before Renzo Abiera split his charities after bucking off an injury early in the frame.
Capulong then knocked down a one-handed floater over the stretched arms of Andrada to make it a 72-67 cushion for the Chiefs, who were coming off a 92-89 loss to Jose Rizal University last Wednesday.
Andrada, though, would still answer with a quick three-pointer from the right wing to make it a single-possession game with 37.5 seconds to go. However, James Payosing missed a potential game-tying bucket underneath the rim as Arellano took the dub.
T-mc Ongotan also shone for the Chiefs with 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists while Geronimo tallied 12 markers, four boards, and three dimes.
The loss spoiled a season-high outing from Puno, who finished with 20 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep while also grabbing six rebounds, two assists, and two steals as RC Calimag, the spark plug early in the first half, ended with 14 markers.
Scores:
Arellano 72 - Capulong 13, Ongotan 13, Geronimo 12, Abiera 9, Borromeo 7, Vinoya 6, Hernal 4, Libang 4, Acop 2, Valencia 2, Camay 0, Miller 0, Dela Cruz 0.
San Beda 70 - Puno 20, RC Calimag 14, Sajonia 9, Andrada 9, Payosing 5, Celzo 4, Estacio 3, Royo 2, Gonzales 2, Songcuya 2, Tagle 0, Richi Calimag 0, Jalbuena 0, Sollano 0.
Quarters: 19-24, 36-34, 50-50, 72-70.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
