By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--Arellano booked the first trip to the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup final with a 94-85 win against NU in the knockout semifinals at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Friday.
Jio Jalalon exploded for the second straight game for the Chiefs, who entered the semifinal round of the said tournament for the first time ever, after firing 34 points on 15-of-24 shooting with three rebounds and six assists as the Chiefs avenged their loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday.
[Related Story: NU takes top seed in Group A with squeaker against Arellano]
Arellano played fluid offense, dishing out 21 assists with Jalalon and Kent Salado each tallying six, and only committed nine turnovers.
The team also played solid defense against NU, leading in steals (6-0) and blocks (7-1) while forcing 20 NU errors.
Alfred Aroga tallied 24 markers, ten rebounds, and four dimes for NU.
The Chiefs, who won the Fr. Martin Preseason Cup on Wednesday, forced a duel with either the De La Salle Green Archers or the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the championship game on Sunday. The Archers and the Eagles are disputing the other final seat as of posting.
Box Scores:
Arellano 94-Jalalon 34, Salado 18, Nicholls 11, Flores 7, Enriquez 6, Gumaru 6, Cañete 5, Meca 4, Villoria 3, Holts 0, Cadavis 0, Gupilan 0, Aguilar 0
NU 85-Aroga 24, Morido 18, Abatayo 11, Mosqueda 9, Diputado 6, Go 6, Salim 5, Yu 2, Aquino 2, Labing-isa 2, Salem 0, Gallego 0, Cauilan 0, Lastimosa 0
Quarterscores: 20-19, 48-39, 67-60, 94-85
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