By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA—Kent Salado made up for his fumbles in regulation
as he slotted home the game-winning shot in overtime as Arellano University
fended off a spirited Jose Rizal U stand for a 73-72 nail-biter in the featured
match of Tuesday’s NCAA Season 93 men’s hoops action at the FilOil Flying V
Centre in San Juan City.
Salado banked in a floater over the defense of Abdel
Poutuochi with two-tenths of a second in OT left for the win, the team’s second
in three matches.
With AU leading 62-59 with just 9.8 seconds, Salado bungled
two free throws that would have iced the game for the Chiefs. Jed Mendoza’s last-second
desperation shot went in to force the added five minutes.
JRU even had a slim 72-71 edge on Mendoza’s split from the
line with 35.8 ticks to go, setting the stage for Salado’s heroics.
The five-foot-nine Cagayan De Oro native led all scorers with 25 points, 23
in the second half and extra session, while dishing out eight assists and
grabbed six rebounds in over 39 minutes on the floor.
Zach Nicholls pumped in 13 markers spiked on three triples,
and Lervin Flores chipped in seven and 15 rebounds for the Jerry
Codiñera-mentored squad.
MJ Dela Virgen and Teitey Teodoro each had 15 points the the
Heavy Bombers, now tied with College of Saint Benilde at 1-2.
Box scores:
Arellano 73 – Salado 25, Nicholls
13, Flores 7, Enriquez 6, Canete 6, Meca 4, Villoria 4, Ongolo Ongolo 4,
Alcoriza 4, Dela Cruz 0, Rivera 0, Padilla 0, Concepcion 0, Abanes 0
JRU 72 – Dela Virgen 15, Teodoro
15, Poutouochi 11, Grospe 10, Mendoza 9, Abdul Razak 4, Lasquety 3, David 2,
Castor 2, Bordon 1
Quarterscores: 15-17; 28-35;
44-48; 62-62; 73-72 (OT)
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