Arellano University stormed back from a lethargic start, putting an end to the Final Four dreams of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 67-65, in NCAA Season 100 on Wednesday.
The Chiefs, who were already out of contention, played like they were the ones fighting for their lives after erasing an early 14-point deficit on the way to the hard-fought victory.
Arellano thus improved to 7-10 while the Knights dropped to 8-10, effectively bombing out of the Final Four race.
"Without pressure siguro, ayun 'yung pinakagusto nating gawin para we end up in a good position. For the last eight years, may drought kami sa Final Four, pero 'yung winning naman is naaangat namin," said Arellano coach Chico Manabat.
"It's all about babalik pa rin tayo sa preparation natin. Pian-practice namin 'yan eh, 'yung lamang 'yung kalaban ng 12 and then lagi ko pinapaalala sa kanila na walang nananalo sa first half."
Arellano had to crawl back from a 42-28 disadvantage early in the third period, then unleashed a huge second half to turn things around against the semis-seeking Knights.
By the end of the third, the Chiefs were only staring at a three-point hole then established a 63-56 cushion behind a 12-2 blitz.
However, the Knights rallied back, tying it all up at 63-all off a Pao Javillonar floater before he was fouled out with still 54.8 seconds to go to end his collegiate career.
Kobe Monje, who was on fire in the first half, tried to salvage the Knights by sinking a pair of free throws for a slim 65-64 lead.
With no Javillonar on the floor, Arellano secured four offensive rebounds that led to a Basti Valencia putback for a 66-65 lead in the final 18.7 seconds.
Capulong, who missed two crucial free throws earlier, split his freebies to seal the game as Nat Montecillo went wide in his final three-point attempt.
The second-year big man finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 reboubds alongside four assists, two steals, and one block while Maverick Vinoya chipped in nine markers, three boards, and one dime.
The graduating Monje ended up with a career-high 24 points while Montecillo and Javillonar chipped in 11 markers apiece.
Scores:
Arellano 67 – Capulong 13, Vinoya 9, Valencia 8, Camay 7, Hernal 7, Geronimo 6, De Leon 4, Borroneo 4, Libang 4 Abiera 3, Miller 2, Ongotan 0, Flores 0.
Letran 65 – Monje 24, Montecillo 11, Javillonar 11, Estrada 10, Miller 5, Santos 2, Nunag 2, Cuajao 0, Jumao-As 0, Dimaano 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 28-40, 51-54, 67-65.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
