Second stringers lift Chiefs over Pirates

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

4 p.m. – San Sebastian vs Mapua

6 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Jose Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano U went to its second stringers when its starters faltered as it overpowered Lyceum, 68-60, to barge into the win column in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Jiovanni Jalalon stepped up with 13 points when John Pinto fell to cramps in the final stretch while Allen Enriquez scattered 10 points in the absence of Levi Hernandez, who was tossed out in the second quarter for a disqualifying foul on Cameroonian Aziz Mbomiko.

“I’ve been saying all this time that anyone of my players can step up and today (this) should prove me correct,” said Arellano U coach Koy Banal, who has won championships with Far Eastern U in the UAAP and San Beda here in the NCAA.

It was the Chiefs’ first win after dropping a heartbreaking 76-78 defeat at the hands of the San Sebastian Stags last Thursday that zapped their pre-season bubble after being tagged as a legitimate title contender.

“We hoped to really manage our expectations but we couldn’t that’s why we lost that game against San Sebastian,” said Banal. “Thankfully, the players took it to heart that our strong pre-season performance is nothing if we couldn’t perform this season.”

Mbomiko, a walk-in recruit, led his squad with 18 points while skipper Andrei Mendoza had 14 points but had to sit out with over two minutes to go after a flagrant foul on Arellano U’s Kieth Agovida.

The Pirates fell to their first defeat after pulling off a massive 70-66 upset triumph over reigning three-peat champion San Beda last Monday, the former’s first ever win over the latter since entering the oldest collegiate league two season ago.

Fil-Canadian James Forrester continued to struggle with only eight points, no thanks to a hurting left knee he sustained last month.

Banal though thinks he’s slowly but surely getting back to old form.

“He’s not yet 100 percent but he’s improving every game and he’s contributing in every way he can whether it’s on offense or in defense,” he said referring to Forrester, who topped his effort with three rebounds, five assists and a steal.

After exploding for 23 points in the win by the Pirates over the Lions, Ko managed only seven points this time and turned the ball over a game-worst six times.

In the nightcap, Letran rode on clutch plays by Raymond Almazan and Rey Nambatac as it turned back Emilio Aguinaldo, 79-74, to seize the solo lead with two wins.

Mark Cruz paced the Knights with 18 points but he didn’t finish because of cramps, allowing Almazan and Nambatac to step up and come through in the stretch.

The Generals fell to their second loss.