NCRAA: Arellano beats ACSAT, 78-74

Games Friday Arellano University Gym 9 a.m. UDM vs PSBA (men) 10:30 a.m. PUP vs PATTS (men) 12 nn Olivarez College vs Arellano (men) 1:30 p.m. NCBA vs St. Francis (men) 3 p.m. EAC vs ACSAT (men) The Arellano University Chiefs braved the fourth quarter onslaught of the Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT) Lightnings to post a 78-74 win, their second in the 14th Petron-National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men's basketball tournament at the Emilio AC Sports Center on Wednesday morning. Gio Ciriacruz scored 20 points, including two charities off Welland Muñoz with four seconds left that secured the victory and a tie for the early leadership with Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (EAC) with their second straight win. "Discipline lang, The players had it today. They just stuck to the system. Ginawa nila ito hanggang sa dulo," Chiefs coach Leo Isaac said. Alfie Martinez showed the way for AU with 20 points. His free-throw with 21 ticks left allowed the Chiefs to stay in front, 76-74. Earlier, Harvey Igtos and Munoz led the Lightnings' charge with their outside shots as ACSAT threatened to break away at 63-68, with 5:52 left. Meanwhile, PATTS School of Aeronautics bounced back from their opening-day setback to the defending champion EAC, crushing Unibersidad de Manila, 87-73. James Abugan banged in 27 points, including 10 in the second period, enabling the Manny Mendoza-coached Sea Horses to take charge with a 41-28 halftime spread. Ciriacruz led a decisive Chiefs' breakaway in the third period, his three-point play and layup in the last seven minutes that touched off a 10-0 run gave Arellano U a 53-43 spread. The Chiefs will confront the Olivarez College Sea Lions at their own homecourt at the Arellano-Legarda gym at 12 noon on Friday. - GMANews.TV