SAN JUAN, Philippines (Eagle News) — Arellano University and De La Salle fashioned out do-or-die wins to move on to the semi-final round of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City late on Tuesday night.
De La Salle continues to exert its might over the competition, routing reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Far Eastern University via a 91-71 count. But Arellano, on their part, stopped San Beda College from repeating as pre-season champions after its 86-79 win.
The Aldin Ayo-mentored Green Archers, unbeaten in all eight games this season, grabbed hold of the lead early in the match, 21-11, and never let go.
Pacing its campaign is Cameroonian reinforcement Ben Mbala, scoring 32 points with 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Jeron Teng also exploded for 28 points in the win.
“It was just an ordinary game. We did some adjustments, and if there was something good out of it FEU adjusted well too. But our defense held up,” said Ayo, the first-year mentor for the Green and White.
Jio Jalalon, fresh from his stint with the Philippines national cadet team in the recent Southeast Asian Basketball Assocation (SEABA) Stankovic Cup, led the Chiefs with a near-triple double effort of 21 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and five steals.
Center Dioncee Holts and Zach Nicholls contributed 16 markers each, while Lervin Flores had 10 to knock off the Red Lions from retaining the title it won a year earlier.
Following the game, Head Coach Jerry Codiñera praised the crafty Jalalon for his improving play. “[Jio Jalalon] is my extension sa floor. With his maturity, he’s like a coach on the floor,” said Codiñera.
“I told them that even if we can’t make three point shots, let’s make perimeter shots. It’s still a basket,” he added.
Donald Tankoua starred for the Red Lions with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Roldan Sara contributed 16 points, with Javee Mocon and Robert Bolick with 15 points each.
This was the first time that San Beda has failed to advance past the quarterfinal round in the tournament’s 10 year history.