Arellano ends month-long search for win No. 2

The feeling of victory has eluded Arellano University for over a month. "We've already forgotten what a win tastes like," said Arellano U coach Leo Isaac. After 37 days, the Chiefs finally tasted victory and snapped a five-game slide with a 64-60 decision over College of Saint Benilde Friday in the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. The Chiefs won for the first time since July 6, a 79-75 overtime victory over Jose Rizal University, to improve to 2-6 and tie Mapua Institute of Technology for eighth place. The loss dropped the Blazers' record to 3-5 as they joined Emilio Aguinaldo College at fifth spot. Arellano had a 14-0 start, a lead that they managed to protect the whole game. The Chiefs also put the cuffs on Carlo Lastimosa, who only scored four points after hitting 30 in their 78-77 win against Jose Rizal University last week. "We planned to totally eliminate Carlo Lastimosa. I don't care if we lose for as long as it's not because of him," said Isaac in Filipino. Veterans Andrian Celada and Rock Acidre both had a solid game as they combined for 27 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Celda also had three steals while Jerald Lapuz finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Rookie Mark Doligon buried three three-pointers for nine markers. CSB tied the game at 42-all but Celada scored the next four points to put Arellano ahead, 49-44, at the end of the third. Lapuz and Acidre scored Arellano's first six points to take a 55-44 lead but CSB was able to close in, 62-60, on Jonathan Gray's shortstab with 21.1 seconds left. The Blazers wasn't able to foul a Chief until the 8.6-second mark as Celada iced the game with two free throws for the final tally. Paolo Taha shot 3-of-5 from downtown to finish with a game-high 21 points to go with his four rebounds and three assists while Grey tallied 11 markers, five boards, three assists and three steals. Arellano's high school team also made a big splash as they stunned La Salle-Greenhills, 64-61, in the juniors division. - JVP, GMA News