AN embarrassing loss the last time out and the sense of urgency to get out of its funk propelled Arellano University to a big win yesterday.
Taking lessons learned to heart, the Chiefs stunned the Mapua University Cardinals, scoring a 72-63 victory for their second win in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
Still recovering from a right knee sprain, 6-foot-7 center Justin Arana shone for Arellano with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Jordan Sta. Ana chipped in 15 markers, four boards, and seven assists.
Kai Oliva also had 10 points for the Chiefs, who snapped a three-game losing skid, counting a 70-87 setback to the Perpetual Help Altas last Wednesday, and improved to 2-3 in a four-way tie with Perpetual, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and San Sebastian College for fifth.
The Cardinals failed to rebound from a 60-80 defeat to the defending champion Letran Knights last Friday and dropped to 3-2 for fourth.
In the other game, San Sebastian waylaid Lyceum 83-71 to get back on track.
Graduating big man JM Calma scored a career-best 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Golden Stags, while Rommel Calahat had 15 markers, eight caroms, and four assists.
Kenneth Villapando also added 12 and 14 as San Sebastian made up for a heartbreaking 60-61 loss to San Beda University three days ago.
The Pirates, coming off an 82-75 triumph over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers last Wednesday, fell to 1-4.
Arellano coach Cholo Martin said his charges were determined to pull off a much -needed win.
“Salamat at nakaahon din. Iyan ang kailangan dahil sa standings. Iyan ang ipinaglalaban ng mga bata, ang umangat kami sa standings,” Martin said.
“Kasi kapag natalo pa kami, maiiwan kami,” he added.
The Chiefs took a 41-35 lead at the half and enjoyed a 56-48 edge heading into the payoff period.
Mapua threatened at 60-62 on a Rence Nocum basket at the 4:11 mark of the fourth but Arellano went on a telling 10-0 run where Arana had six points that sealed the deal.
Warren Bonifacio paced the Cards with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“The boys stepped up. The good thing about it is ang hirap talagang maglaro, wala si Ichie (Altamirano), wala si (Michael) Are, hirap na hirap kami sa kalaban namin,” Stags tactician Egay Macaraya, whose team played without Ichie Altamirano (one-game suspension) and Michael Are (concussion), said. “But the boys stepped up.”
Omar Larupay scored 14 points for Lyceum, while Enoch Valdez and Renzo Navarro had 12 and 11, respectively.
