By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Sunday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – CSB vs JRU
2:30 p.m. – Mapua vs San Beda
Arellano held its composure in the pivotal moments as it survived a fiesty Lyceum side, 91-86, on Saturday, Oct. 19, in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Showing great resolve, the Chiefs withstood an 18-3 blitz from the Pirates bridging the final period and an 8-0 run in the last two minutes to notch their fourth victory against eight losses.
It was a retribution of sorts for Arellano, which bowed to Lyceum in overtime in their first meeting last Sept. 20, 90-86.
Lorenz Capulong erupted for the Chiefs with an impressive double-double performance of 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Maverick Vinoya also produced solid numbers with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Arellano was enjoying a 69-54 lead midway the third period when Lyceum launched its assault and tied the count at 72-all early in the fourth.
But Capulong was there to the rescue, sparking another run that put the Chiefs back on top, 86-78, with five minutes left in the game
The Pirates, however, refused to give up the fight easily as Jonathan Daileg and John Barba came through with clutch baskets and they knotted the count once at 86-all.
It turned out to be their last stand as back-to-back baskets from Greg Geronimo and Renzo Abiera kept Arellano afloat until the final buzzer.
The game, however, had a scary moment after Lyceum’s JM Bravo fell unconscious following a head-on collision with Abiera during a loose ball battle in the last eight seconds of the game.
Bravo, who just returned to play in the second round after a potential season-ending spine injury, was immediately stretchered out of the playing court. Initial reports said he was having a hard time breathing but can already speak.
The 24-year-old wingman had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block after playing for 26 minutes.
Lyceum fell to 6-6 in the company of Letran.
In the other game, King Gurtiza exploded with 27 points as Emilio Aguinaldo College outplayed San Sebastian, 101-94, for a three-way tie with Lyceum and Letran in the middle standings at 6-6.
The Stags slipped to 3-9 despite the 30-point production of Tristan Felebrico.
The scores
First Game
ARELLANO 91 – Capulong 30, Vinoya 14, Valencia 9, Miller 9, Borromeo 7, Abiera 4, Camay 4, Geronimo 4, Hernal 3, Flores 3, Libang 2, Ongotan 2, Rosalin 0.
LYCEUM 86 – Barba 18, Bravo 17, Villegas 15, Montaño 10, Daileg 9, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Versoza 4, Panelo 4, Pallingayan 0, Moralejo 0, Cunanan 0.
Quarters: 26-17; 54-46; 72-68; 91-86.
Second Game
EAC 101 – Gurtiza 27, Oftana 17, Pagsanjan 16, Quinal 11, Lucero 9, Luciano 5, Ochavo 3, Jacob 3, Bacud 3, Loristo 3, Doromal 2, Bagay 2, Angeles 0, Manacho 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 94 – Felebrico 30, R. Gabat 21, Are 14, Escobido 9, L. Gabat 9, Ricio 6, Pascual 3, Velasco 2, Aguilar 0, Suico 0, Maliwat 0, Barroga 0, Cruz 0, Ramilo 0, Lintol 0.
Quarters: 28-29; 55-51; 85-69; 101-94.
