The Arellano University Chiefs overcame the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags to open their campaign in NCAA Season 97, 65-63, on Sunday at the St. Benilde Gym in La Salle Green Hills.
Justin Arana tallied 16 points and 15 rebounds in a rousing performance for the Chiefs, while Jordan Sta. Ana added 14 points.
Arana, though, had to be stretchered out of the game after hurting his right knee late.
With Arellano up 62-60 after a Gelo Sablan triple at the 2:39 mark of the fourth period, a Jessie Sumoda trey with 1:37 left in the game gave the lead back to San Sebastian.
Free throws from Sablan with less than a minute left in the game pushed the lead back to Arellano. Sta. Ana missed two charities late in the game, but an Axel Doromal split to make it 65-63 sealed the deal for the Chiefs.
SSC-R had the lead at the end of the first half, 33-29.
Ichie Altamirano scored 16 points while JM Calma added 13 in the San Sebastian loss.
San Sebastian will face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Friday, while Arellano will face the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on Wednesday.
—JMB, GMA News
