Arellano Chiefs outgun EAC Generals, 67-64

The Arellano University Chiefs defeated the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 67-64, on Friday to claim their first crown in the 14th Petron-National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. It was an emotional games for the Chiefs and the Generals, whose supporters had to be restrained from pelting each other with debris and water bottles. The Chiefs relied on the steady hands of Gio Ciriacruz to score two free-throws on a foul by Alain Musni with 3.8 seconds left. Though scoring just 6 points in the game, Ciriacruz delivered the winning shots for the Chiefs, who last year bowed to St. Francis Doves in the finals. "We wanted the game na medyo dragging. Kung may takbuhan, tatakbo tayo. Gusto namin na mababa ang score, magkalapit ang score dito. In this instance, makakatsamba kami," Chiefs coach Leo Isaac said. The Chiefs finished the best-of-three title series with a 2-1 win-loss record after bowing to the Generals, 77-65, in Game 2. Magcawas showed the way for the Chiefs with 18 points, including two charities with 50.3 ticks to go off Ronjay Buenafe's foul, 65-62. Tylon Darjuan, who was adjudged the league MVP, tallied only nine behind Nathaniel Estilo's 12. After John Valderama drove with 1:59 remaining, the Generals tasted the lead for the last time, 62-61. They lost their grip of the upperhand with 1:36 after the Alfie Martinez attacked the shaded lanes and gave the Chiefs a 63-62 edge. The Chiefs did a great job of stopping Buenafe, who was held to just six points. It was John Valderama who carried the fight for the Generals with 18 points, before leaving the game with an injured ankle in the last minute. Earlier, the Arellano Baby Chiefs had beaten Olivarez High School, 99-74 with Adriel de Leon putting in 22 points and Earl Limboy 21 points towards the winning score. THE SCORES First Game (Juniors) Arellano (99) - De Leon 22, Limboy 21, Ga 15, Ciriacruz 14, Javier 9, Anquillo 8, Adonis 4, Abjar 4, Guevarra 2 Olivarez (74) - Pascual 18, Wright 16, Panganiban 14, Herrera 12, Marcelo 8, Dullon 2, McFarlane 2, Gorospe 2. Halftime: 42-37 Second Game (Senior) Arellano (67) - Magcawas 18, Estilo 12, Darjuan 9, Martinez 8, Daroya 7, Ciriacruz 6, Agustin 3, Nulla 2 EAC (64) - Valderama 18, Ebuen 12, Hubalde 8, Musni 7, Castillo 6, Buenafe 6, Mendoza 4, Anzures 0 Halftime: 30-29.