MANILA, Philippines - Diminutive Leonard Anquilo stood tall as he scored a team-high 20 points, powering Arellano U past Angeles U Foundation, 96-77, yesterday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Anquilo, the smallest in the league at five feet, used his quickness and impressive shooting to steer the Chiefs to their second win in a row and fourth overall against four losses.
“He may be small but he has a big heart,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan of his starting guard.
Although they remained in sixth, the Chiefs enhanced their bid for the last Final Four berth with still a game left in the first round elims.
The Great Danes fell to their seventh straight setback and eighth overall against a win.
Earlier, Perpetual Help thwarted Emilio Aguinaldo, 86-79, to close out its first round campaign with a 3-6 (win-loss) record.
Rookie Chris Elopre led the Altas with 19 points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists while George Sicat had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Generals slid to 2-7.
In juniors play, Perpetual Help made it a double kill as it beat EAC, 116-63, for its fifth win in nine outings.
Arellano U downed AUF, 82-44, to improve to 2-6.
Perpetual took charge early and led by 16 points, 54-38, at the half but EAC refused to give up and fought back to within two points, 75-77.