NCAA-bound Arellano stamps class in Fr. Martin caging

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano showed it is prime for big-time college basketball as its annexed its third straight seniors crown at the recent 15th Fr. Martin Summer Cup at the San Beda College gym. The Chiefs of coach Junjie Ablan demolished Philippine Merchant Marine School, 73-52, to complete their romp of the tournament. Arellano swept all its 12 matches at the tournament dating back to the preliminaries, indicating the squad’s readiness to make its debut in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association wars. “Tingin ko ready na kami para sa NCAA. Sana di magbago yung laro ng mga bata, palagay ko naman kahit paaano kaya naming sumabay sa ibang mga NCAA teams," said Ablan. Andrian Celada, Isiah Ciriacruz and Rodrigo Apostol fired 13 points apiece to lead the Chiefs, who made their breakaway in the second period. Boy Lumongsod topscored for PMMS with 14 points followed by Elmar Moradas with eight. Meanwhile, Ma. Eileen Urieta poured in eight of her 17 markers in the final canto to tow De La Salle University to the women’s crown via a 53-46 conquest of Far Eastern University. Bernadine Yamamoto chipped in 11 points for the Lady Archers while Raiza Palmera paced the Lady Tams losing cause with 12 points. Sharing the limelight with Arellano and La Salle was San Beda College-Rizal, which outsteadied Ateneo de Manila, 87-80, to win the juniors division title. The Red Cubs drew big games from Baser Amer and Yvan Ludovice, who scored 16 points apiece and Dave Moralde, who shot added 15 points. Leading the Blue Eaglets in their losing cause was Philippine Under-16 team member Kiefer Ravena, who pumped in 30 points, 22 of them in the first half. - GMANews.TV