By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--A new FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup champion will be crowned this year as Arellano dethroned San Beda in the knockout quarterfinals with an 86-79 squeaker at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Tuesday.
Jio Jalalon buried clutch shots that kept the Red Lions at bay as the Chiefs scored their third straight head-to-head win against them dating back to last year's NCAA season and set up a clash with the NU Bulldogs, who earlier defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, in the semifinals on Friday.
[Related Story: NU rolls in Q4 to edge Adamson in FilOil QF's]
Arellano was comfortably up, 77-69, with two minutes left in the game, but five straight San Beda points capped by a fastbreak layup by Robert Bolick cut the lead to three, 77-74, with 1:18 remaining.
Jalalon answered with four straight markers of his own off two free throws and a huge jumper to stretch the gap to seven, 81-74, with 43.5 seconds to go.
Donald Tankoua showed an improved range by making a three-pointer with 39.8 seconds left to trim the lead back to four, 81-77.
Jalalon kept the door open for the Red Lions as he only made one of two free throws in the next play, and Tankoua took note of it by making another basket that drew them to within three, 79-82, with 18 seconds left.
Jalalon still took some time off the clock before making up for his earlier missed charity with a couple more to put the Chiefs ahead, 84-79, with 12.9 seconds on the clock.
Tankoua finally lost steam as he missed a stop-and-pop triple in the next play, and Jalalon sealed the win with two more from the foul line.
The Gilas Cadet flirted with a triple-double as he finished with 21 points, nine at the death, ten assists, and eight rebounds along with five steals for Arellano, which gained a chance to avenge their loss on Sunday to NU.
[Related Story: NU takes top seed in Group with squeaker against Arellano]
Dioncee Holts and Zach Nicholls had their best game in the tournament by making 16 points each with the former making all of his six shots.
Tankoua had 20 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Javee Mocon also came close to a triple-double as well with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists for San Beda.
Box Scores:
Arellano 86-Jalalon 21, Holts 16, Nicholls 16, Flores 10, Salado 8, Cañete 7, Meca 4, Cadavis 4, Aguilar 0, Villoria 0, Gumaru 0, Enriquez 0, Abanes 0, Gupilan 0, Ongolo 0
San Beda 79-Tankoua 20, Sara 16, Mocon 15, Bolick 15, Tongco 5, Presbitero 4, Noah 2, Soberano 1, Oftana 1, Potts 0, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0
Quarterscores: 20-17, 36-37, 59-58, 86-79
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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