19 July 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Arellano University waited for a long time to finally play in the NCAA Season 94 senior’s basketball and the wait has been worth it.
The Chiefs had their debut game of the tournament on a high note after escaping a vicious Emilio Aguinaldo College in an overtime thriller, 75-69, Thursday at the Arellano Gym in Legarda, Manila.
Due to the inclement weather, Arellano’s games against San Beda Red Lions last July 10 and Perpetual Help Altas last July 17 all had to be postponed.
Arellano was off to a hot start as they left the Generals breathing for air during the first half of the game, 31-26.
However, the Generals found their rhythm coming into the third, with the leadership of Hamadou Laminou to cut off a five-point deficit to only one point, 49-48.
EAC took the lead in the last 38 seconds of the fourth, 63-61, but Adrian Alban shot a crucial layup to push the game into overtime, 68-all.
The Chiefs took the lead from there, as Levi dela Cruz took charge and drained seven points to seal their first win of the season.
The Generals could have turned the ball game around in the last minute of the game thanks to a few free throw opportunities, but their lack of charity stripe shooting, 17-for-46 at that, made them lose their opportunity.
Archie Concepcion led the Chiefs with a double-double record of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Alban knocked down 13 points. Rence Alcoriza and Dela Cruz had 12 points each in their first win.
Meanwhile Michael Canete made it big in the rebounding, with 11 boards on top of his seven points.
On the other hand, Laminou boosted the Generals with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Juju Bautista chipped in another double-double record of 14 points and 16 boards.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 75 – Concepcion 15, Alban 13, Alcoriza 12, Dela Cruz 12, Villoria 9, Canete 7, Meca 4, Serajosef 2, Dela Torre 1, Abdurassad 0, Bayla 0, Codinera 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Sacramento 0, Santos 0
EAC 69 – Bautista 14, Cruz 14, Laminou 14, Garcia 7, Mendoza 7, Natividad 5, Robin 4, Diego 2, Magullano 2, Bugarin 0, Cadua 0, Gonzales 0, Neri 0, Tampoc 0
QUARTER SCORES: 20-13, 31-26, 49-48, 63-63, 75-69 (OT)
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