The backcourt duo of Shane Menina and Axel Doromal led Arellano University as they survived University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s comeback attempt, 86-81, in NCAA Season 98 on Tuesday.
Menina exploded for 25 points and seven assists to lead the way for the Chiefs while Doromal scored 20 of his own.
Cade Flores also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
But they needed to weather some tense moments after they were outscored 28-8 by the ALTAs in the fourth quarter to turn what seemed like a blowout into a close game at the end.
The two teams, already eliminated from Final Four contention, proved that there's no such thing as a no-bearing game as they left it all out on the floor in a thrilling encounter.
Arellano seemed like they had put the game away after a dominant showing in the penultimate period, which they took 33 to 18, to build a comfortable 78-53 lead.
Menina and Doromal combined for 17 of the Chiefs' points in that period.
But the ALTAs, even with big man Mark Omega fouling out at the 3:22 mark of the third, unleashed a furious rally in the payoff period, cutting their deficit down to five, 82-77, after back-to-back triples from Shawn Orgo and a bucket from Jef Egan with 2:23 left.
Carlo Ferreras even made it a one-possession ballgame, 82-79, before Flores sank an important basket for the Chiefs to restore a five-point lead.
Arellano team captain Kai Oliva then knocked down both his free throws, 86-81, and Perpetual's Jielo Razon missed three freebies as Arellano took home the win.
The Chiefs improved to 7-9 while Perpetual dropped to 7-10.
Orgo scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter while Ferreras contributed nine of his team-high 16 markers in the final period as well.
Rey Joey Barcuma also finished with 16 points for the ALTAs.
The scores:
Arellano 86 - Menina 25, Doromal 20, Flores 10, Abastillas 7, Talampas 6, Oftana 5, Mallari 4, Sunga 4, Oliva 3, Tolentino 2, Mantua 0, Domingo 0.
Perpetual 81 - Barcuma 16, Ferreras 16, Orgo 14, Razon 9, Egan 8, Boral 6, Omega 4, Abis 4, Flores 2, Cuevas 2, Roque 0, Movida 0, Nitura 0.
Quarters: 22-20, 45-35, 78-53, 86-81.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
