SAN JUAN, MM—Arellano once again leaned on Jio Jalalon as the team edged Lyceum, 78-75, in an all-important NCAA battle at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Tuesday.
Jalalon showed he can be deadly from inside the three-point line by scoring all his 14 field goals from within 22 feet and finished with 33 points for the Chiefs, who won despite making 2-of-16 from beyond the arc. Jalalon went 0-of-5 from deep.
Lervin Flores added 15 points, two rebounds, and four of their eight total blocks. They limited the Pirates to 34 percent shooting.
MJ Ayaay tallied 18 points for Lyceum, which stayed in the game thanks to 27 free throws. He was accounted for 12, matching Arellano's total output from the foul line.
The Chiefs tied the San Beda Red Lions, who are playing the JRU Heavy Bombers as of posting, in first place at 11-3, while the Pirates found themselves at the brink of elimination, which can be formalized with a win by either the Bombers or the Mapua Cardinals.
Box Scores:
Arellano 78-Jalalon 33, Flores 15, Salado 13, Aguilar 5, Viloria 3, Zamora 3, Enriquez 2, Cadavis 2, Holts 1, Gumaru 1, Nicholls 0, Meca 0
Lyceum 75-Ayaay 18, Marata 15, Nzeusseu 14, Caduyac 7, Soliman 6, Gabayni 5, Baltazar 4, Alban 3, Magbuhos 2, Rubite 1, Bulawan 0, Malabanan 0
Quarterscores: 17-11, 36-29, 55-55, 78-75
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