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[av_heading heading=’Arellano ousts Mapua to enter NCAA finals ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Arellano University Chiefs advanced to the finals of the NCAA Season 92 men’s seniors basketball tournament with a 92-80 win over the Mapua Cardinals in the semifinals on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
JiovanniJalalon and rookie Lervin Flores led the way with 22 points apiece for the Chiefs, which will face the winner between the San Beda Red Lions and the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the best-of-three finals.
Kent Salado chipped in 13 markers, while John Gumaru contributed 10 points for the Chiefs, which advanced to the NCAA finals for the first time since entering the league.
From a tight exchange early in the opening frame, the Chiefs suddenly pulled away as it turned a slim 13-11 lead to a 24-13 spread behind baskets by Jalalon, Gumaru and Salado.
The Cardinals responded with its own run in the second frame behind AllwellOraeme and Carlos Isit to come to within 27-25, but conversions by Chiefs’ Flores, Allen Enriquez and Zachary Nicholls allowed them to widen the lead to 49-42 at halftime.
The Chiefs pulled away further in the second half with Jalalon and Flores converting for a huge 65-50 edge. But the Cardinals refused to give up as it uncorked its own rally early in the fourth quarter to come to within 74-67.
But counter attacks by the Chiefs courtesy of a triple by Nicholls, four straight inside baskets by Jalalon and a triple by center Dioncee Holts to give the Chiefs its largest lead at 92-78.
Reigning NCAA MVP Oraeme finished with double-double 20 points and 24 rebounds, while Andrew Estrella contributed 15 markers for the Cardinals, which finished inside the Final Four for the second straight season./PN
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