By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA— It was another
energy-sapping game between Arellano University and Jose Rizal U.
The Chiefs displayed nerves of steel in disposing the
Heavy Bombers, 115-109, in a double-overtime classic in the main game of
Thursday’s NCAA season 93 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V
Centre in San Juan City.
Reminiscent of its 73-72 overtime nail-biter in the first
round, the Chiefs backed on a blistering run in the second extension to fashion
out the victory, the Legarda-based ballclub’s fourth win in 10 games, tying the
Perpetual Help Altas in the middle of the standings.
JRU star Teytey Teodoro knotted the count at 89-all with
two booming triple to force the first overtime. The lefty even scored five
straight for the Bombers’ 100-97 lead, 19 seconds remaining in the first OT.
But Zachary Nicholls answered Arellano’s call with his own
Hail Mary with two ticks left to send the game into another five-minute
extension, just the Fil-Canadian’s second in 16 tries the past three games.
From there it was all AU, as it scored 10 consecutive
points, with Archie Concepcion and Kraniel Viloria taking turns hitting long
bombs and Allen Enriquez scoring a pair from the stripe for a 110-100 advantage, a little
over three minutes left in the match.
JRU failed to recover after that.
Rence Alcoriza posted a career-best 23 points for the
Chiefs coming off the bench, even as Kent Salado finished with 17 markers, seven
assists, and three dimes.
Lervin Flores had 17 aside from 11 rebounds, while Marvin
Taywan and Michael Canete followed suit with 15 and 12, respectively.
Teodoro fired 30 points for the Kalentong-based Heavy
Bombers, which suffered its fourth loss opposite six triumphs. Jed Mendoza, meanwhile,
churned in 24
The scores:
Arellano 115 – Alcoriza 23, Salado 17, Flores 17, Taywan 15,
Canete 12, Enriquez 9, Concepcion 9, Nicholls 5, Villoria 5, Abanes 3, Dela
Cruz 0, Meca 0, Filart 0.
JRU 109 – Teodoro 30, Mendoza 24, Bordon 13, Grospe 10,
Abdul Razak 10, Sawat 9, Lasquety 4, Poutouochi 4, Dela Virgen 3, David 2, Mate
0
Quarterscores: 18-20; 43-39; 68-64; 89-89; 100-100 (10T);
115-109 (2OT).
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