Already knocked out of contention, Jose Rizal University played like it had nothing to lose in its last game in the NCAA Season 97, giving play-in hopeful Arellano University a scare before the Chiefs pulled out the 65-62 win.
Arellano team captain Gelo Saban, who knocked down some crucial baskets in the endgame, praised the Heavy Bombers for making sure that the Chiefs earned the victory the hard way.
"Wala akong masasabing masama sa kanila kasi talagang binigay nila best nila, talagang na-challenge kami sa kanila kahit laglag na sila or kahit nothing to lose na," Sablan, who finished with 11 points, nine of which he scored in the crucial second half said.
"Sinigurado nila na kailangan namin i-earn 'yung panalo."
Sablan played big in a key stretch, dropping seven of the last nine points of Arellano to end the third quarter leading by seven, 53-46.
But JRU pumped life back into their game in the final minutes with Hommer Macatangay tying the game at 57-apiece.
With Kobe Caballero giving Arellano a much-needed 63-62 cushion with 1:50 left, Justin Arana then sealed the win with a pair of free throws to cap off another stellar game.
"Nire-remind lang kami ni coach na mag-relax lang kami kasi kaya naman namin tsaka 'wag lang namin madaliin," the senior forward said.
"The more na minamadali namin, the more kami nahihirapan so nilaro lang namin 'yung laro namin and nagtiwala kami sa sistema ni coach and nakuha naman namin 'yung panalo."
—JMB, GMA News
