Raffy Dela Peña | FCF
Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help both relied on torrid third quarter surges to pull off respective victories in Monday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 90 seniors’ basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Chiefs, led by star guard John Pinto, went on a 15-2 spurt in the last 4:05 in the third period to blow the game wide open and resulted in a 93-80 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University to give head coach Jerry Codiñera his first-ever win as the team’s head tactician.
Pinto scored 16 of his 20 points during their second half run, with Keith Agovida adding 13, and sweet-shooting Zach Nicholls posting 12 on a torrid 4-for-7 shooting from long range.
“I didn’t really know how to respond in our first game. I just relied on my judgment that I believe in our veterans, our graduating players on the team. I just told them to contribute in whatever way they could to the team and it will be appreciated. Then we made some slight adjustments on defense at halftime, which triggered the rally [in the third quarter],” said Codiñera.
Wilson Baltazar and Shane Ko both scored 15 points, while Dexter Zamora added 12 points and five assists in the loss for the Pirates.
Raffy Dela Peña | FCF
On the other hand, the Altas benefited from the stellar performances of Earl Thompson and Juneric Baloria to rout a listless Mapúa Institute of Technology five, 91-57, in the first game.
Thompson showed flashes of his pre-back injury self by posting career-high totals of 27 points and 16 rebounds. He also went 10-for-17 shooting from the field and added six assists, two steals, and two blocks to his all-around total. Baloria, Season 89’s rookie of the year, contributed 26 markers with four assists.
“Alam ko na mananalo kami sa Mapúa, pero di ganyan kalaki ang lamang. Alam kong medyo dikit din pero maganda nilaro namin. Maganda yung depensa, maganda ang pasahan,” said Perpetual Help Head Coach Aric Del Rosario, whose team won by the highest winning margin since San Beda College defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College by 54 points, 118-64, back in September 2, 2011.
The Cardinals, which had a hard time finding the right combination with head coach Atoy Co quickly shuffling his players, were led by ex-National University forward Joseph Eriobu with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Andoy Estrella producing 14.
