Arellano University struggled to hang onto the huge leads they built but still came out victorious over Mapua University, 72-63, to arrest its losing skid in the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament on Sunday.
Justin Arana led the way for the Chiefs with 17 points, 15 big rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. He scored 12 of his total in the second half as helped his team hold off the Cardinals.
With the win, Arellano improved its tally to 2-3 while Mapua fell to 3-2 behind a two-game losing slump that started with a loss to Letran last Friday.
The troika of Arana, Jordan Sta. Ana, and team captain Gelo Sablan took the scoring cudgels early for the Chiefs as they accounted for 17 of their 23-point production in the first period. Sta. Ana, in particular, contributed 10 markers by himself in the opening period.
The Cardinals, however, roared back in the second frame, even tying the game at 28-apiece off a basket by big man Warren Bonifacio as Mapua tried to stage a comeback.
The lead swung back to Arellano side as the wards of head coach Cholo Martin ended the first half holding a 41-35 cushion. Arellano also led by as much as 10, 23-13, early in the game.
Arellano's advantage ballooned to as big as 14, 53-39, after a go-ahead bucket from Sta. Ana.
Mapua, though, quickly responded with a 9-3 run to end the quarter but Arellano still in the driver's seat with a 56-48 lead.
Later, Rence Nocum trimmed Mapua's deficit to just two, 62-60, with 4:11 left in the game but that was the closest they could get as Arana notched six of their last 10 points to make it 72-63.
Sta. Ana finished with 15 points on 7-for-10 (70-percent) shooting from the field and a game-high seven assists. Kai Oliva added 10 markers and Axel Doromal added nine for the productive Arellano backcourt.
Bonifacio logged a double-double for Mapua with 11 points and 10 boards while JJ Pido and Rence Nocum added nine apiece.
Arellano will look to cruise to back-to-back wins when it faces red-hot San Beda University on Sunday, April 17, while Mapua's next task is University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on April 13.
The scores:
Arellano 72 — Arana 17, Sta. Ana 15, Oliva 10, Doromal 9, Doromal 9, Carandang 6, Sablan 4, Uri 4, Caballero 3, Cruz 2, Dela Cruz 2, Valencia 0.
Mapua 63 — Bonifacio 11, Pido 9, Nocum 9, Garcia 8, Agustin 7, Gamboa 7, Hernandez 7, Lacap 5, Mercado 0, Asuncion 0, Sual 0, Salenga 0, Milan 0.
Quarters: 23-19, 41-35, 56-48, 72-63
—JMB, GMA News
