NCAA: Arellano back to winning ways, trips Perpetual

Arellano University arrested a four-game losing skid after an 85-70 demolition of Perpetual Help in the 85th NCAA men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Chiefs mentor Junjie Ablan said earning their third win after a long time was like bagging their first victory in the league as a guest team.

“Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila ay maniwala pa rin (I told my players to continue believing)," said the 30-year-old Ablan, whose squad has somehow lost its ferocity after winning its initial two matches.

“Ngayon hopefully naibalik ang kumpiyansa sa team, ang tagal na rin kasi naming hindi nananalo (I just hope this win restored our confidence, it has been a while since we lasst won a game)," added Ablan after the match that saw the Chiefs winning the rebounding for the first time in their seven outings.

Arellano big men Giorgio Ciriacruz and Ed Rivera combined for 18 of the Chiefs 35 rebounds compared to the Altas’ 22 the whole match.

“This is the first time that we were able to dominate the boards, kahit dun sa unang dalawang panalo namin, talo kami sa rebounding (even in our first two wins we were outrebouned)," said Ablan.

Ciriacruz also paced the Chiefs with a team-high 20 points while Adrian Celada, Ed Rivera, Isiah Ciriacruz and John Tayongtong combined for 56 markers.

Limiting Perpetual’s rookie guard Chrisper Elorpe, who’s been averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 assists per game, also helped Arellano’s cause.

“Our focus was to stop Elopre who is a typical point guard, He creates situations and scores for his team," noted Ablan. “And we were able to do that today."

Elopre, who finished with 11 points and three assists, failed to adjust on the Chiefs’ defense and the Altas immediately found themselves staring at a 55-32 deficit at the turn.

The Chiefs protected that double-figure lead and were never threatened in the entire match.

“Hopefully, this win will help us in our remaining games in the first round," Ablan ended.