Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) – The Arellano University Chiefs pulled off a stunning late comeback to eke out a 65-63 win over the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags in the NCAA Season 97 on Sunday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
The Cholo Martin-coached Chiefs won despite losing top scorer and reigning NCAA Defensive Player of the Year Justin Arana to an apparent knee injury in the 1:49 mark of the fourth quarter.
Arana finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Chiefs, while Jordan Sta. Ana came up with 14 markers in their opening game win.
“First game namin ito after two years, wala kaming tune up games so nangangapa pa. Buti na lang naka-adjust kami,” Martin said after the game.
[Translation: This is our first game after two years and we didn’t have any tune up games, so we’re still struggling. It’s good that we have adjusted already.]
With the absence of Arana, Arellano guards Gelo Sablan and Sta. Ana delivered in the clutch moments to eke out the win for the Legarda-based squad.
Trailing for the most part of the match, Arellano unleashed its late-game resilience as they rose from a nine-point deficit and finally taking the lead, 62-60, from a trey by Sablan in the 2:38 mark of the fourth canto.
After Arana was carried to the bench, San Sebastian made sure to reclaim the lead as Jessie Sumoda drained an open rainbow shot to clinch a 63-62 advantage.
Sumoda’s three-point shot proved to be the last basket for the Golden Stags in the match as they failed to get good looks in their next possessions.
Sablan sank all his two free-throws with less than a minute left in the match, while Sta. Ana split his charities in the final 3.6 seconds of the game.
San Sebastian guard Michael Are missed his long range shot in the last possession of the contest.
“Nag-usap usap sila, so depensa talaga ‘yung kailangan namin kasi lamang kami ng two points nung na-injure siya (Arana). Kailangan talaga namin ay dumepensa, so luckily nakakuha kami ng bola,” Martin said on how the Chiefs easily adjusted on Arana’s sudden exit.
[Translation: They talked to each other, so we needed to strengthen our defense since we’re leading by two points when he got injured. We really need to defend, so luckily we got the ball.]
Ichie Altamirano led the Golden Stags in their losing effort with 16 points, while JM Calma scored 13 markers and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Arellano will be back in action on Wednesday at 12 noon against defending champions Letran Knights, while San Sebastian will face Perpetual Help Altas on Friday at the same time.
The Scores:
ARELLANO 65 – Arana 16, Sta. Ana 14, Valencia 9, Sablan 8, Doromal 7, Talampas 2, Carandang 2, Uri 2, Caballero 2, Ababstillas 2, Concepcion 1, Oliva 0, Steinl 0, Dela Cruz 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 63 – Altamirano 16, Calma 13, Villapando 10, Calahat 8, Sumoda 8, Are 4, Una 2, Desoyo 2, Ra. Gabat 0, Cosari 0, Re. Gabat 0, Loristo 0.
Quarterscores: 13-14, 29-33, 45-53, 65-63
