Arellano University bucked a slow start before denying Mapua University of a breakthrough win with a 64-59 conquest in NCAA Season 98 on Sunday.
Shane Menina scored 12 of his 13 points in the second half, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minute that all but sealed the game for Arellano.
Axel Doromal led the Chiefs with 16 points while Cade Flores tallied 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks before fouling out of the game.
Arellano snapped its two-game losing slump to improve to 4-3 while Mapua dropped to a winless 0-7 card.
Arellano opened the third frame with a 9-2 rampage to take a much-needed 36-28 cushion before Mapua pulled to within two, 36-34.
But a strong 10-4 close-out led by Menina and Flores saw the Chiefs holding a 46-38 lead heading to the fourth.
Arellano even made it a 56-46 spread in the fourth but Rence Nocum led a late charge for Mapua as they closed the gap anew, 56-54.
The Chiefs hit a snag when Flores fouled out with 2:06 left but Menina’s huge three-pointer with 28.7 ticks left virtually sealed the deal for Arellano, 64-56.
Arellano took a slim 27-26 lead after a low-scoring first half action with Doromal pouring in nine points early while Paolo Hernandez dropped seven. The Chiefs led after the first quarter, 13-8.
Both teams struggled to connect from the field in the first two quarters with the Chiefs shooting just 9 of their 30 attempts while the Cardinals had 9-of-41 field goal percentage.
Arellano takes on San Beda University in Friday while Mapua will face De La Salle-College of Saint Benile on Wednesday.
The scores:
Arellano 64 - Doromal 16, Flores 14, Menina 13, Talampas 7, Oftana 6, Tolentino 4, Abastillas 2, Oliva 2, Mallari 0, Mantua 0, Domingo 0.
Mapua 59 - Hernandez 14, Gamboa 11, Bonifacio 10, Nocum 10, Pido 6, Agustin 4, Lacap 2, Parinas 2, Garcia 0, Soriano 0, Salenga 0.
Quarters: 13-8, 27-26, 46-38, 64-59.
—JMB, GMA News
