MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University waxed hot in the final quarter to turn what was once a close game into a 95-82 rout of Mapua Institute of Technology, and claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the NCAA Season 92 tournament.
Birthday boy Donald Gumaru turned in his best game of the season Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan, netting five three-pointers in the second half to finish with 15 points, while Jiovani Jalalon came through with another typically explosive game to lead the Chiefs to their 14th win of the season against three losses.
With the win, the Chiefs have won four straight games and are now assured of having a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals, as well as at least a playoff for the No. 1 seed in the Final Four.
Mapua, for its part, saw its four-game winning streak come to an end. The Cardinals dropped to 11-6 in the tournament and will play University of Perpetual Help in their final game of the elimination round on Friday.
The Chiefs were in control for most of the first half and even led by 10 points, 45-35, at the break, only for the Cardinals to open the third quarter with an 8-0 run. It was a back-and-forth contest from that point on, with Jalalon going toe-to-toe with Mapua's CJ Isit and Darell Menina to try and put their team ahead.
Mapua seized a 56-52 advantage midway through the third quarter, only to see it erased quickly by Jalalon who responded with five consecutive points. A bucket by Joseph Eriobu restored a one-point lead for the Cardinals, 60-59, but that was when Gumaru stepped up, draining two straight three-pointers to put Arellano back on top, 65-60.
"He's been playing well for the past three games," Codiñera said of Gumaru. "Hesitant lang siya noong first round, but he is a veteran, and it's his birthday today, so ang gandang pa-birthday."
Behind the efforts of Isit and reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme, the Cardinals clawed their way back in the fourth period, even taking a 75-74 lead with 6:12 to go thanks to two free throws from Isit.
It would be a short-lived advantage for Mapua. Gumaru connected on two more three-pointers, while Jalalon added a lay-up in transition and another three-pointer of his own. By the time the dust settled, the Chiefs scored 13 unanswered points to seize an 87-75 advantage with 2:50 to go.
Gumaru and Jalalon then put the finishing touches on the victory when they each fired a three-pointer in the final two minutes to completely take the fight out of the Cardinals. Arellano wound up out-scoring Mapua, 28-19, in the pivotal fourth quarter.
"Grabe 'yung offense noon," Codiñera said of their sizzling finish to the game. "Talagang it all went in."
Jalalon finished with a season-high 35 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Kent Salado quietly had a stellar 15-points, seven-rebound, seven-assist outing. Gumaru scored all 15 of his points in the second half as the Chiefs finished the game shooting 41.94% from beyond the arc.
"We had a hard time stopping Isit, and Oraeme was also there, and supported din ng locals ng Mapua," said Codiñera. "They were there in the thick of the fight. Kami lang, we just had to execute, go to our strengths."
Isit finished with 25 points, but only mustered four markers in the final quarter. Oraeme finished with 13 points, 20 rebounds, and four assists, while Menina added 16 points. The Cardinals shot a respectable 43.59% from the field, but found that they could not match the Chiefs' offensive explosion in the final quarter.
The Chiefs will end their elimination round schedule on Friday against San Beda College.
ARELLANO 95 – Jalalon 35, Salado 15, Gumaru 15, Cadavis 7, Flores 6, Canete 5, Enriquez 4, Nicholls 3, Meca 3, Villoria 2, Holts 0, Aguilar 0
MAPUA 82 – Isit 25, Menina 16, Oraeme 13, Eriobu 8, Orquina 7, Raflores 6, Estrella 3, Aguirre 2, Serrano 2, Victoria 0, Bunag 0
Quarter scores: 16-13, 45-35, 67-63, 95-82
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