University of Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal University both solidified their hold on the last two Final Four spots with wins in Monday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 90 seniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Altas ran Arellano University to the ground and pulled out a 101-86 victory during the first game, while the Heavy Bombers held down Lyceum of the Philippines to just 14 made field goals in their 67-43 win in the main game.
JRU started off on a torrid 18-6 run in the first quarter, which blew up to an 32-18 halftime lead.
During the first half, the Pirates shot seven-for-26 from the field – their worst output as a team this season.
Despite having an insurmountable lead at the break, the Bombers did not stop with their unrelenting defense, resulting in LPU only putting up seven-for-27 field goals in the final 20 minutes.
Leading their charge was Philp Paniamogan with 23 markers and seven rebounds, followed by Michael Mabulac’s 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Perpetual Help and Arellano, both known for their fastbreaking offense, combined for 34 points in transition, but the former got the upper hand with well-rested veterans down the stretch.
Harold Arboleda waxed hot with 12 points during a crucial stretch late in the fourth period to nix the Chiefs’ comeback attempt from 16 points down.
Arboleda pulsated with a career-high 28 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists, supported by Juneric Baloria scattered 26 markers, six rebounds, and five assists, and Earl Thompson’s second triple-double of the season with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
In the second period, super sub Gerald Dizon did a good relief job on Joel Jolangcob and knocked down a pair of treys to lead the Altas to a 49-44 lead at the break.
Then, Perpetual Help fortified their advantage, thanks to a combined 23 point explosion from guards Juneric Baloria and Earl Thompson, to build a commanding 84-69 lead entering the final fray.
With a freak thunderstorm knocking out the power inside the venue at the 9:09 mark of the fourth, the Chiefs regrouped to mount a comeback bid to reduce their deficit to single digits.
But with ace guard John Pinto fouling out at the halfway point, Arboleda took over and scored nine of the team’s 14-4 push during the final 4:38 to secure the victory.
Veteran mentor Aric Del Rosario – who likened the triumvirate of Thompson, Baloria, and Arboleda to his former University of Santo Tomas core of Bal David, Henry Ong, and Dennis Espino – said that the second unit proved their mettle in holding the fort for their starters that gave the finishing kick.
“Napahinga ko yung mga starters ko sa simula ng fourth quarter. Kaya nung humabol ang Arellano, sila pa ang napagod at hindi maka-shoot,” said del Rosario.
“Kahit nakapagpahinga ang kalaban dahil sa brownout, yung mga reliever namin kagaya nila [Gerald] Dizon at [Ric] Gallardo nakatulong sa amin,” he added.
Pinto led Arellano with 17 points and seven assists, followed by Keith Jasper Agovida’s 15 points and 10 boards.
