Chiefs smother Stags for share of 2nd spot

Games Tuesday

10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Jose Rizal (jrs)

12 noon -– San Beda vs Perpetual Help (jrs)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs. Jose Rizal (srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Perpetual Help (srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano University caught fire late in the fourth to finally ward off San Sebastian, 104-92, extend its win run to four and join San Beda and Perpetual Help at second in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Dioncee Holts fired 21 points while Zach Nicholls, Donald Gumaru, Allan Enriquez and Michael Salado backed him up with 13 markers as the Chiefs outscored the Stags, 35-26, in the last 10 minutes to clinch the victory.

Jio Jalalon also hogged the spotlight as he dished out a season-high 16 assists and finished with eight points.

“I just try to make everyone involved,” said Jalalon.

The Stags, who blew a 13-point fourth quarter lead in a loss to the Letran Knights last Tuesday, dropped to joint seventh with Lyceum and St. Benilde with 1-4 cards.

Earlier, Tey Teodoro went on a shooting spree late in the fourth quarter as Jose Rizal University dumped Lyceum, 75-60, to remain at solo fifth with a 3-2 slate.

Teodoro unloaded a 16-point binge in the last six minutes of the contest as the Bombers broke away from a tight 57-51 game and into the 15-point romp for their first back-to-back wins midway through the first stage of the double-round elims.

It was, by far, Teodoro’s best showing after norming just 8.5 points after four games.

“I have a feeling before the game that this would be his time. I’m happy it happened,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses of Teodoro, who suddenly found his range and rhythm to power the Bombers while quelling the Pirates’ rally.

Lyceum fell to 1-4.

Earlier, Mapua overwhelmed Emilio Aguinaldo behind CJ Isit’s superb playmaking skills as the Cardinals coasted to a one-sided 101-72 win to improve to 2-3.

Isit accounted for seven of the team’s 30 assists, which came two shy of matching Arellano University’s season-high 32 assists fashioned out against the same EAC squad.

“Our passing play was a big improvement and our defense held,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co in Filipino.

Josan Nimes led the team with 18 points while Stephen Que and Justin Serrano scored career-highs 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Isit finished with 12 points for the Cardinals, who played without injured guard Andretti Stevens.

The Generals, who missed Mbang Aduom Abang due to a groin injury, took their fifth straight loss.

In juniors’ action, the Red Robins trounced EAC, 88-80, to improve to 4-1 while the Junior Pirates downed the Light Bombers, 81-73, in overtime to post their third win against two defeats.

The scores:

First Game

Mapua 101 – Nimes 18, Que 17, Serrano 16, Biteng 12, Isit 12, Nieles 7, Menina 6, Aguirre 5, Oraeme 4, Villasenor 2, dela Rosa 2, Layug 0, Raflores 0

EAC 72 – Hamadou 16, Munsayac 15, Onwubere 13, Pascua 11, General 8, Mejos 5, Diego 4, Bonleon 0, Estacio 0

Quarterscores: 15-14; 45-33; 72-54; 101-72

Second Game

Jose Rizal 75 – Teodoro 25, Pontejos 10, dela Virgen 9, Poutouochi 6, Astilla 5, Estrella 5, Cruz 4, dela Paz 3, Lasquety 2, Abdulwahab 2, Balagtas 2, Grospe 2, Sanchez 0

Lyceum 60 – Gabayni 15, Nguidjol 13, Alanes 10, Mbida 7, Baltazar 4, Lugo 4, Taladua 3, Soliman 2, Ayaay 2, Malabanan 0, Marata 0, Lacastesantos 0, Bulawan 0

Quarterscores: 21-10; 37-29; 50-40; 75-60

Third Game 

Arellano U 104 – Holts 21, Nicholls 13, Gumaru 13, Enriquez 13, Salado 13, Jalalon 8, Ortega 5, Bangga 4, Meca 3, Cadavis 2, Ongolo 0, Tano 0

San Sebastian 92 – Guinto 26, Calisaan 20, Ortuoste 17, Costelo 9, Pretta 9, Fabian 5, Bragais 2, David 2, Mercado 2, Sibal 0, Vera 0, Capobres 0

Quarterscores: 23-21; 43-39; 69-66; 104-92