ARELLANO University and San Beda College settled down with the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four after beating their respective rivals on Tuesday in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Asociation seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jio Jalalon scored 35 points—missing his career he posted last season by only two points—in powering the Chiefs past the Mapua Cardinals, 95-82, to cement their hold of the No. 1 spot with a 14-3 won-lost record.
AC Soberano, on the other hand, scattered 18 points to help lift the Red Lions past the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 84-75, and a solid grip of No. 2 with a 13-4 card.
Jalalon, a Gilas Pilipinas standout, waxed hottest in the fourth quarter when he uncorked a 13-point barrage that transformed what a close contest to a runaway victory.
“He’s the Jio Jalalon we all know and he played big again for us,” Arellano University Coach Jerry Codiñera.
Jalalon made 15 of his 28 shots and did everything he could by adding five rebounds and as many f assists and steals in another major effort that boosted his chances for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.
Reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme also had another solid game of 13 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Cardinals, who fell to their sixth loss in 17 games.
Arellano University and San Beda clash in the final day of the elimination round on Friday, a game many say could be a preview of the finals.
CJ Isit had 25 points to lead the Cardinals, who will close out the eliminations against the Altas also on Friday.
Davon Potts and Jayvee Mocon contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Red Lions, who sent the Altas reeling to an 11-6 record.
Soberano made a triple to tie the game at 65-all with seven minutes remaining, while Jom Presbitero hit a crucial trey with 29.5 seconds left to to seal the win for the Red Lions.
“That’s the goal [twice-to-beat advantage] of our team. It’s really good to have an advantage going into the semis. Good thing we got the win,” San Beda Head Coach Jamike Jarin said. Bright Akhuetie led the Altas with 29 points and 18 rebounds.
Emilio Aguinaldo College overcame the absence of team captain Francis Munsayac and Sydney Onwubere to edge College of St. Benilde, 65-62, in Tuesday’s other game.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos