SOME tongue lashing from coach Cholo Martin and a late injury to chief gunner Justin Arana provided the inspiration as Arellano University held its ground against San Sebastian College yesterday.
The Chiefs rallied from a 14-point third quarter hole and nipped the Golden Stags 65-63 for their first win in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament behind closed doors at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
Gelo Sablan sank two free throws that gave Arellano a 64-63 cushion in the final 49 seconds before San Sebastian misfired on its offensive thrusts.
A Kalen Doromal foul shot pegged a 65-63 count after two missed freebies by teammate Jordan Sta. Ana, only 3.6 ticks left.
The Stags had one last chance to steal the victory, but Michael Are’s three-point try failed to hit the mark at the buzzer.
In the other game, Mapua University turned back hard-fighting Emilio Aguinaldo College 73-67.
Adrian Nocum scored all his 20 points in the first half, on top of five rebounds, while Brian Lacap had 14 and six as the Cardinals fought back from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit for their first triumph.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga player, matagal ninyong hinintay ito. Two years na nawala (ang NCAA). Ito na ang time ninyo pero siyempre lahat ng kalaban natin, lahat iyan siyempre gustong magpakita at manalo,” Mapua strategist Randy Alcantara said.
“Kaya kailangan sumunod lang kayo sa ipapagawa ng coaches at magtiwala lang kayo sa teammates ninyo.”
Kriss Gurtiza led the Generals with 21 points, while Allen Liwag and Marwin Taywan combined for 29.
The 6-foot-7 Arana wound up with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and four swats for the Chiefs before leaving the match for good at the 1:49 mark of the fourth quarter due to an apparent calf injury on his right leg.
Sta. Ana chipped in 14 markers, two boards, and two assists for Arellano.
“Ang adjustment namin ay sa depensa. Masyadong loose and masyado silang relax so medyo napagalitan, nagbago. Maganda iyong naging response nila,” Martin said.
“Nagusap-usap sila, so depensa talaga iyong kailangan namin kasi lamang kami ng two points noong na-injure siya (Justin). So, kailangan talaga namin ay dumepensa so luckily nakakuha kami ng bola,” he added.
After taking a 33-29 lead at the half, San Sebastian padded the difference to 50-36 on a Rommel Calahat basket with 4:19 remaining in the third canto and still enjoyed a 53-45 edge going into the payoff period.
The Chiefs went on a 17-7 binge that razed the Stags’ advantage capped by a Sablan trey that made it 62-60, 2:38 left.
Itchie Altamirano carried the fight for San Sebastian with 16 points and three rebounds, while JM Calma and Kenneth Villapando had 13 and 10, respectively.
Martin is hoping Arana will be fine and added his wards have lots of room for improvement.
“Medyo pagod na (siya). Bumigay na iyong calf niya kasi whole game siya naglalaro. So, sana huwag naman malala, kailangan namin siya,” Martin said, referring to Arana.
“First game namin ito after two years. Wala kaming tune-up (games). Nangangapa pa. So, buti na lang naka-adjust.”