Arellano University has been overly reliant on Kent Salado majority of the season that you could expect the team to fold up without him.
It was not the case on this one.
Finding some answers minus its unquestioned leader, AU outlasted Perpetual Help, 62-52, yesterday to continue its Final Four resurrection in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
Lervin Flores pounded his way to 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks while Rence Alcoriza scattered 16 points including two boom triples to help plug the holes left by Salado, who came into the game averaging a league-best 19 points and five assists before tearing his right MCL (medial collateral ligament) in an 85-79 win over San Sebastian Tuesday.
Small but lightning-quick Levi dela Cruz, for his part, handled the backcourt duties with aplomb that somehow filled the Salado void.
“The players knew before the game that with or without Salado, we have to find ways to win, good thing we did,” said AU coach Jerry Codinera.
Thanks to the victory, AU has now won three straight games and improved to 8-9 (win-loss), or just half a game behind fourth-running Letran, which owns an even 8-8 slate.
Lyceum of the Philippines U, San Beda and Jose Rizal have long since booked Final Four spots with 16-0, 15-1 and 11-6 cards.
AU though would have to beat Mapua on Tuesday and hope Letran not to sweep its remaining games against San Beda today and St. Benilde on Tuesday.
“We just have to take care of our business and hope for the best,” said Codinera.
The Chiefs started out slow and trailed, 14-17, at the end of the opening quarter.
But the high-leaping 6-5 Flores, a native of Masantol, Pampanga, Alcoriza and dela Cruz took charge and sparked a run that helped AU turn things around in its favor.
The Altas, who were led by Nigerian Prince Eze’s 11 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks, slumped to 4-12.
The scores:
First Game
Arellano U 62 – Flores 19, Alcoriza 16, Dela Cruz 11, Canete 6, Nicholls 5, Villoria 4, Meca 1, Enriquez 0, Abanes 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Taywan 0, Concepcion 0, Padilla 0
Perpetual Help 52 – Coronel 14, Eze 11, Lucente 10, Pido 8, Dagangon 6, Ylagan 3, Tamayo 0, Casas 0, Clemente 0, Yuhico 0, Mangalino 0, Sadiwa 0
Quarterscores: 14-17; 29-23; 48-34; 62-52
