NCAA: Letran, CSB, Arellano come out on top

MANILA, Philippines – As every game counts in the second round of the NCAA Season 91 men’s senior basketball tourney, 3 collegiate teams strengthened their respective campaigns by pulling off victories on Friday, September 4 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Mark Cruz powers Letran as Knights defeat Lyceum

Colegio de San Juan de Letran relied on Mark Cruz in the fourth quarter as the pro-bound guard drained 17 of his 26 points to defeat Lyceum of the Philippines University, 74-57.

The Topex Robinson-mentored Pirates sparked a final-frame rally that snatched away the lead from the Knight, 50-49.

However, Cruz spearheaded a 23-3 blitz that allowed him to score 6 baskets and built a 72-53 advantage for the Knights with 1:53 ticks left.

Fellow PBA draftee Kevin Racal also assisted Cruz in leading Letran by registering 19 points, while Jomari Sollano chipped in 10.

With the impressive win over Lyceum, Letran improves its win-loss standing to 10-2 and ties with San Beda College on top of the league board.

On the other hand, Lyceum downgrades to a 3-9 slate as Vic Nguidjol starred in the Pirates’ attempt to pull off an improbable upset versus Letran with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Scores:

Letran (74) – Cruz 26, Racal 19, Sollano 10, Nambatac 9, Luib 5, Balagasay 4, Balanza 1, Apreku 0, Calvo 0, Quinto 0

Lyceum (57) – Nguidjol 20, Baltazar 14, Lugo 6, Lacastesantos 4, Alanes 4, Ayaay 4, Bulawan 3, Taladua 2, Soliman 0, Marata 0, Mbida 0

Quarter scores: 17-11, 28-25, 47-42, 74-57

CSB dominates EAC

College of Saint Benilde thumped Emilio Aguinaldo College in dominating fashion, claiming an 81-75 shutout.

JJ Domingo scored 16 points, while Jonathan Grey had 12 markers, 10 dimes and 9 boards as the Green Blazers upgrades their record to 3-9.

Meanwhile, Francis Munsayac had 15 points to lead the way for the Generals, who fall to the bottom of the standings at 2-10.

CSB (81) – Domingo JJ 16, Ongteco 12, Grey 12, Fajarito 8, Castor 7, Deles 6, Domingo JS 5, Young 4, Saavedra 3, Flores 3, Jonson 2, San Juan 2, Sta. Maria 1, Nayve 0

EAC (57) – Munsayac 15, Mejos 11, Diego 8, Pascua 6, Onwubere 6, Hamadou 6, Corilla 3, Bonleon 2, Pascual 0, General 0, Estacio 0

Quarter scores: 17-9, 37-18, 60-31, 81-57

Jalalon’s triple-double fuels Arellano against Perpetual Help in OT

Jiovani Jalalon took charge of Arellano in overtime to author an exciting 84-77 finish against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

Jalalon mustered 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and one steal in an all-around effort that helped Jerry Codiñera’s Chiefs to improve their win-loss card to 8-4 in the ongoing elimination round of the NCAA Season 91.

Eleven of the Legarda-based brigade’s 16 baskets in the extra period came from Jalalon, including a tip in off a miss by Julius Cadavis and a breakaway conversion off a steal on Perpetual Help’s Gab Dagangon.

Aside from Jalalon, Zachary Nicholls also contributed to Arellano’s successful outing against the Altas with 14 markers, including four shots from downtown.

Although Bright Akhuetie sat out for the maroon shirts due to a shoulder injury, it did not stop Earl Scottie Thompson to create his own triple-double output of 24 markers, 12 boards and 11 dimes.

However, Thompson’s remarkable performance was not enough to put Perpetual Help on the winning track as the Altas drops to 8-4.

Arellano (84) – Jalalon 32, Nicholls 14, Holts 8, Enriquez 8, Meca 7, Bangga 6, Salado 4, Cadavis 3, Gumaru 1, Ortega 1, Capara 0, Tano 0

Perpetual Help (77) – Thompson 24, Eze 19, Coronel 16, Gallardo 6, Dagangon 4, Ylagan 3, Oliveria 2, Cabiltes 2, Dizon 1, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 9, Sadiwa 0, Elopre 0

Quarter scores: 21-16, 39-40, 57-53, 68-68, 84-77 – Rappler.com