By MARK REY MONTEJO
Arellano University continued its steady climb to the top after scoring a convincing 74-56 win over Lyceum to keep its quarterfinal bonus bid alive in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Riding the momentum of back-to-back wins, the Chiefs went full throttle right in the opening quarter to post a sizable 26-6 lead which proved too much for the Pirates to overcome.
The win improved Arellano’s record to 6-6 for solo third in Group A, a development that pushed them within striking distance of frontrunning University of Perpetual Help (8-4) and Mapua (7-5)
Lyceum, on the other hand, suffered its ninth defeat against three wins at fourth to set up a play-in showdown with San Sebastian (3-10).
“Sabi ko sa kanila, maging consistent lang sila sa system, offensively at defensively. Ang maganda e nasuklian ‘yong viewing at preparations namin,” coach Chico Manabat said.
“Tiningnan namin lahat ng tendencies ng Lyceum para maging consistent kami sa mga ginawa namin before.”
T-Mc Ongotan carried the scoring load anew for Arellano after posting 24 points and 10 rebounds along with three assists and two blocks, while King Vinoya added 14 points.
John Barba was the lone double-digit scorer for Lyceum with 13 points on top of three rebounds and three assists in a losing cause.
Arellano goes for a twice-to-beat clincher against Mapua this Friday, Nov. 21, while Perpetual hopes to arrest a three-game skid against Lyceum on Sunday.
Meanwhile, San Beda went three in a row after beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 96-82, to seal the No. 1 seed in Group B.
With their victory, the Red Lions hiked their slate to 9-3, while the Generals remained at the bottom with a 4-8 win-loss card.
The Mendiola-based squad now awaits for its quarterfinals foe between Lyceum or San Sebastian which battle in a play-in round. EAC, for its part, squares off with Jose Rizal University for the quarters berth.
On the other hand, EAC clashes with Jose Rizal University for the coveted quarters spot.
Bryan Sajonia led San Beda with 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Yukien Andrada and Agjanti Miller poured in 17 points apiece.
Aldeo Lucero scored for 14 while Kyle Ochavo posted 11 points for EAC.
The scores (Arellano-Lyceum):
AU 74 – Ongotan 24, Vinoya 14, Valencia 8, Borromeo 7, Geronimo 6, Demetria 4, Libang 4, Camay 3, Hernal 2, Buenaventura 2, Cabotaje 0, Abiera 0, Acop 0, Anarna 0, Langit 0.
LPU 56 – Barba 13, Montaño 7, Villegas 6, Versoza 6, Aviles 6, Matienzo 4, Abregana 3, Casiño 3, Moralejo 2, Gordon 2, Daileg 2, Peñafiel 2, Aurigue 0, Pallingayan 0, Paulo 0.
Quarters: 26-8, 37-27, 56-42, 74-56.
The scores (San Beda-EAC):
SAN BEDA 96 – Sajonia 26, Andrada 17, Miller 17, Reyes 12, Celzo 11, Culdora 5, Gonzales 3, Etulle 3, Lina 2, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Estacio 0, Jamora 0.
EAC 82 – Lucero 14, Ochavo 11, Tolentino 10, Bagay 9, Angeles 7, Oftana 6, Bacud 6, Castillo 6, Loristo 4, Quinal 3, Shanoda 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Dominguez 0, Villarente 0.
Quarters: 23-33, 47-54, 69-73, 96-82.
