Jalalon heroics propel Chiefs past Stagsfor solo 3rd

Games Tuesday

10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Jose Rizal (jrs)

12 noon – Letran vs Mapua (jrs)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Jose Rizal (srs)

4 p.m. – Letran vs Mapua (srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Jio Jalalon put in another triple-double effort as Arellano University pulled away in the fourth quarter to fashion out an 86-76 victory over San Sebastian and move to solo third in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Jalalon finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 17 assists as the Chiefs notched their 10th victory against four defeats and moved closer to second-running the San Beda Lions (10-3) and the pacesetting Letran Knights (11-2).

“I just want to contribute in any way I can and help the team win games,” said Jalalon after churning out his third triple double, actually the ninth in the season, including five from Perpetual Help’s Scottie Thompson and one from San Beda’s Arthur dela Cruz.

The Stags fell to 3-10 and out of the Final Four race with St. Benilde (3-10), Lyceum (3-11) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-11).

Earlier, Mapua bucked the loss of Nigerian Allwell Oraeme on fouls and the ejection of coach Atoy Co as it held off Lyceum of the Philippines University, 70-66, to bolster its semifinal drive.

Justin Serrano and JP Nieles drilled in five points apiece in the fourth quarter to help the Cardinals weather a late charge by the Pirates and sustain their charge for their eighth victory against five defeats.

The Muralla-based squad, which languished in the cellar the last two seasons, stayed at fifth but within striking distance of Arellano (10-4) and Perpetual Help (9-4).

Serrano and Nieles finished with 15 and 10 points, respectively, and later drew praises from their coach.

“They made the big shots when Allwell (Oraeme) fouled out. They bailed us out,” said Co.

Oraeme, who scored eight markers, banged into Lyceum’s Cameroonian reinforcement Jean Victor Nguidjol in a rebound scuffle and fouled out with still six minutes remaining in the contest.

But Co vehemently protested the call, claiming there was no foul, eliciting a technical from the referees, who ejecgted him from the game.

The Pirates fell to 3-11.

Earlier, Jose Rizal U overpowered a hapless Emilio Aguinaldo College side, 87-64, to likewise stay in the semis hunt with a 7-6 mark.

John Pontejos scored 21 points while Bernabe Teodor and John Grospe added 13 markers apiece with Mark Cruz presiding over the Heavy Bombers’ early charge by scoring 11 first quarter points for a 25-7 JRU lead.

“We have no choice but to win all our games and not look at the results of the teams ahead of us that much,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.

Pontejos then took over, sparking another blistering JRU attack that the saw the Bombers pull away at 68-48.

The Generals tumbled to league-worst 2-11 record.

In juniors’ action, Sherwin Concepcion exploded with 33 points and snared 12 rebounds as the Mapua Red Robins clobbered the Lycceum Junior Pirates, 85-63, to stay at No. 2 with a 12-1 mark.

The EAC Brigadiers, on the other hand, slammed the Jose Rizal Light Bombers, 93-69, for a 7-6 card.

The scores:

First Game

Jose Rizal 87 – Pontejos 21, Teodoro 13, Grospe 13, Cruz 11, Dela Paz 7, Estrella 6, Astilla 4, Abdul Wahab 4, Sanchez 3, Lasquety 2, Poutouochi 1, Balagtas 0, dela Virgen 0.

EAC 64 – Onwubere 21, Hamadou 10, Munbsayac 9, Mejos 8, Bonleon 7, Pascual 5, Corilla 2, Estacio 2, Pascua 0, General 0, Diego 0.

25-7; 42-23; 68-48; 68-48; 87-64

Second Game

Mapua 70 – Serrano 15, Nieles 10, Brana 10, Oraeme 8, Menina 8, Isit 6, Que 6, Biteng 5, Aguirre 2, Layug 0, Raflores 0.

Lyceum 66 – Gabayni 21, Baltazar 14, Nguidjol 12, Ayaay 8, Marata 3, Bulawan 3, Malabanan 2, Soliman 2, Sunga 1, Mbida 0, Lugo 0.

Quarterscores: 25-12; 37-25; 58-45; 70-66

Third Game 

Arellano 86 – Jalalon 18, Gumaru 17, Holts 11, Enriquez 10, Ortega 9, Salado 8, Bangga 6, Cadavis 5, Meca 2, Nicholls 0, Tano 0.

San Sebastian 76 – Guinto 19, Fabian 17, Calisaan 13, Costelo 8, Santos 5, Ortuoste 5, Capobres 4, Pretta 3, Bulanadi 2, Bragais 0, Alvarez 0.

Quarterscores: 26-22; 42-41; 67-63; 86-76