By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--Guilmer Dela Torre scorched for a career-high 36 points as Arellano took the top spot in the NCAA juniors cagefest after downing Perpetual Help, 92-76, at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Thursday.
Dela Torre shot 12-of-19 from the field for the Braves, who pulled away for good in the fourth quarter to break out of a tie with the San Beda Red Cubs for first place at 13-1.
Aaron Fermin and Carlo Abadeza combined for 31 points, 24 rebounds, and nine of Arellano's 12 blocks on Perpetual Help to backstop Dela Torre, who was credited for two of his team's three other swats.
Jielo Razon led the also-ran Perpetual Help with 22 points, six rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
In the first game, Lyceum's slim Final Four hopes took another crucial hit after already-eliminated ICA pulled a 78-76 upset.
Maui Cruz led the Brigadiers' successful stunner bid with 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and one steal off the bench.
McLaude Gaudana tallied 16 points and seven rebounds for the Junior Pirates, who slipped to 6-7, a full four games behind the idle La Salle-Greenhills Greenies for the last semifinal seat.
The said development assured another team taking the Thursday off, Malayan, at least a playoff for the fourth Final Four spot.
Box Scores:
First Game:
ICA 78-Cruz 20, Beduria 14, Oriondo 13, Dulatre 10, Boado 10, Baliquig 7, Tapales 4, Calara 0, Ligot 0, Mostoles 0, Kwong 0, Matilde 0
Lyceum 76-Gaudana 16, Cunanan 13, Figueroa 10, Jungco 8, Cecilio 7, Salazar 7, Ruiz 6, Udal 4, Arenal 3, Santos 2, Manuel 0
Quarterscores: 12-17, 34-32, 55-56, 78-76
Second Game:
Arellano 92-Dela Torre 36, Fermin 18, Abadeza 13, Sunga 8, De Leon 5, Dañas 4, Bataller 4, Camarillo2, Velasco 2, Espiritu 0, Tamayo 0, Fornis 0, Dulatre 0, Dimaunahan 0, Rivera 0
Perpetual Help 76-Razon 22, Inliwan 14, Mendoza 12, Cuevas 11, De Leon 7, Aquita 4, Rocero 4, Disquitado 2, Duka 0, Honra 0, Jaucian 0
Quarterscores: 19-24, 41-36, 62-59, 92-76
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