MANILA, Philippines - Arellano U outscored Emilio Aguinaldo College in the third period then American Dioncee Holts shackled Cameroonian Noube Happi in the fourth as the Chiefs held on for an 80-73 victory and a share of the lead with San Beda and Perpetual Help in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
The 6-7 Holts, a rookie transferee from Citrus College in Glendoria, California, limited the 6-8 Happi to just two points in the final period after scoring 15 in the first 30 minutes and the Chiefs survived a furious EAC rally to book their second straight win.
Holts actually came off the bench to fire 15 points, including five free throws, and haul down a team-high 10 rebounds that drew praises from his coach.
“With some help from my other big men, Holts did well on Happi even though he is used to playing as a small forward back in the US,” said Arellano U coach Jerry Codinera.
The win also primed up Arellano U for its big game against four-peat champion San Beda on Saturday in an interesting clash of two of the three unbeaten teams.
Levi Hernandez topscored for the Legarda-based squad with 20 points, all in the first three quarters, while John Pinto hit 11 markers, six assists and five boards.
Arellano U threatened to pull away after posting a 69-55 bulge early in the fourth but Jan Jamon buried two triples, sparking a big surge that sent the Generals to within four, 73-77, with 1.25 minutes to go.
But the Chiefs checked their skid in time, leaning on their defense to hold the Generals scoreless and come up with a follow up to their come-from-behind win over the Lyceum Pirates last week.
EAC, which beat St. Benilde, 81-72, last week, fell to 1-1.
Host Jose Rizal U snapped a two-game skid with a 69-61 victory over St. Benilde in the other game.
The Bombers dominated the Blazers in the middle quarters then thwarted their rivals’ repeated rallies to prevail.
St. Benilde dropped to 0-2 in a tie with Letran and Mapua.