Game tomorrow (April 11, 202)
(La Salle Greenhills Gym)
3 p.m. – JRU vs CSB
Arellano University halted a three-game slide with a 72-63 win over Mapua Sunday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Justin Arana scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half, and pulled down 15 rebounds as the Chiefs overcame a late Cardinals rally to tie their victims at 2-3.
“Salamat at nakaahon rin,” said Arellano coach Cholo Martin. “Iyon ang ipinaglalaban ng mga bata, ‘yung umangat kami sa standings.”
After starting 3-0, Mapua has lost two in a row to remain in fourth place.
“Sobrang saya namin ngayon kasi nga frustrated kami kasi sunod-sunod nga talo namin,” said Arana, who also had three assists and three steals.
The Cardinals threatened at 60-62 with 4:11 remaining, when Arana scattered six points in the Chiefs’ 10-0 lead to put the game away at 72-60.
Martin is making sure that Arana, who played a season-high 36 minutes, is being taken care off as he is recovering from a right knee sprain the center sustained in Arellano’s season-opening win over San Sebastian.
“Kailangan ko munang mag-focus sa strengthening and therapy. Siguro sa practice, ingat na lang muna, mahirap na baka matuluyan,” said Arana, who now has four double-doubles in the season.
“Okay naman ang strengthening ng tuhod ko. Siyempre kailangan kong ibuhos lahat dito sa laro kasi ito na ang hinihintay namin, he added.
Jordan Sta. Ana also played big for the Chiefs with 15 points, 7 assists and four rebounds while Kai Oliva added 10 points.
Warren Bonifacio produced 11 points and 10 boards to lead Mapua.