Chiefs cop first NCRAA title

The Arellano University Chiefs banked on the steady free-throw shooting of Gio Ciriacruz in the endgame to claim their first-ever title in the 14th Petron-National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball tournament Wednesday .

Ciriacruz handed it to the Chiefs after scoring two free throws off Alain Musni’s foul with 3.8 seconds to go, giving Arellano U a 67-64 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The six-foot Ciriacruz made only six points and got a chance to win it for the Chiefs when Musni got in his way after receiving an inbound from Bonlex Magcawas.

His effort enabled the Chiefs to improve on their runner-up finish after losing in the finals to the St. Francis Doves last year.

Earlier, Adriel de Leon delivered 22 points, while Earl Limboy had 21 in powering the Arellano Baby Chiefs to the junior crown with a 99-74 beating of Olivarez High School.

The Chiefs finished the best-of-three title series with a 2-1 win-loss record after bowing to the Generals, 77-65, in Game 2.

It was an emotional win for the Chiefs, whose supporters and that of the Generals had to be restrained from pelting each other with debris and water bottles.

Magcawas showed the way for the Chiefs with 18 points, including two charities with 50.3 ticks to go off Ronjay Buenafe’s foul, 65-62.

Tylon Darjuan, who was adjudged the league’s MVP, tallied only nine behind Nathaniel Estilo’s 12.