By CARLO ANOLIN
Arellano produced its biggest win of the season by pulling off a 72-69 upset win over defending champion Letran in the NCAA Season 98 Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Chiefs rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter as they once again rode the heroics of Shane Menina to nail their third win in four starts and hand the Knights their first defeat in two games.
Menina struggled offensively but his only field goal in seven tries turned out to be the push the Chiefs badly needed pulled to within 58-57.
Cade Flores then joined in the fray to help Arellano upset the three-peat seeking Knights.
Flores led the Chiefs with 18 points and nine rebounds, Axel Doromal chalked up 14 points and five rebounds, Wilmar Oftana posted 13 points and five rebounds while Joshua Abastillas added 10 points.
Menina, for his part, finished with seven points built on the lone three-pointer and a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the free throw line.
“Napakasarap maglaro ‘pag ‘yong kalaban mo defending champion, malalakas na team. Doon lalabas ‘yong laro niyo,” said Arellano head coach Cholo Martin. “Sunod lang kayo (players) kung ano sistema natin baka sakaling manalo.”
The Chiefs unloaded a telling 15-2 run capped by a Flores conversion with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, 63-58, but it was Menina who made the difference – thanks to his pin-point assists.
The Chiefs hiked their lead to 69-60 but the Knights refused to give up easily, rallying to within 70-67 on a putback by Louie Sangalang.
They had chances to even get closer or overtake the Chiefs but the breaks did not go their way, allowing the Chiefs to escape with the win.
Sangalang paced the Knights with a double-double performance of 19 points and 16 rebounds while Caralipio hammered down 16 points and 13 rebounds.
First Game
Arellano 72 – Flores 18, Doromal 14, Oftana 13, Abastillas 10, Menina 7, Talampas 4, Mantua 2, Mallari 2, Sunga 2, Tolentino 0, Oliva 0.
Letran 69 – Sangalang 19, Caralipio 16, Paraiso 8, Yu 8, Javillonar 8, Santos 3, Guarino 3, Ariar 2, Reyson 2, Olivario 0, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Miclat 0, Lantaya 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 30-34, 47-56, 72-69.
