ARELLANO University coach Cholo Martin backed up his bold statement two weeks ago that reigning two-time champion Letran is not invincible.
Boosted by a furious fourth quarter fightback, the Chiefs stunned the Knights, carving out a thrilling 72-69 victory yesterday for their second straight win and seized solo second in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Letran last threatened at 69-71 on Fran Yu’s two free throws with 17.2 seconds to go before Arellano’s Axel Doromal canned a foul shot that pegged the final count, only 15.5 ticks left.
The Knights had chances to force overtime but missed on their last three tries, including Kurt Reyson’s last gasp attempt from beyond the arc at the buzzer that sealed the Chiefs’ massive upset.
Fil-Australian big man Cade Flores barely missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds for Arellano, while Doromal wound up with 14 markers, five boards, and two assists.
Wilmar Oftana also had 13 and five, while Joshua Abastillas poured all but two of his 10 points in the fourth period for the Chiefs, who scored a fitting follow-up to their 61-59 decision over Perpetual Help three days ago and rose to 3-1.
Letran, coming off a 101-97 overtime triumph over Jose Rizal University last Wednesday, saw its 14-game winning streak dating back to Game 3 of the 2019 Big Dance against San Beda University snapped.
The Knights went untouchable with a 12-0 mark on their way to their second straight crown in the last cage wars just four months ago.
In the other game, San Sebastian College nipped Mapua University 57-56 for its second win.
Romel Calahat led the Golden Stags with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Jessie Sumoda and Kenneth Villapando combined for 14 markers.
The nail-biting victory atoned for San Sebastian’s 94-100 defeat at the hands of College of St. Benilde last Friday and the Stags improved to 2-1 in a tie with Lyceum for third.
The Cardinals absorbed their second setback in a row, counting a 67-76 loss to Lyceum five days ago, and dropped to 1-2 tied with San Beda University and Jose Rizal University.
“Ang sinasabi ko sa players, napakasarap maglaro kapag ang kalaban mo defending champion at iyong malalakas na teams. Doon lalabas ang laro ninyo and sumunod lang kayo sa sistema natin at baka sakaling manalo,” Martin said.
“Noong bubble (last season) maganda naman ang nilaro ng teams, ‘di ba? Although kami, for example, we fell short but, in the pre-season, nakita ko lahat iyong takbo ng mga team and intact iyong mga line-up,” he added.
Letran enjoyed a 34-30 cushion at the half and padded this to 55-42 on a King Caralipio basket at the 2:10 mark of the third before settling for a 56-47 edge heading into the final stanza.
Louie Sangalang paced the Knights with 19 points and 16 caroms, while Caralipio got 16 markers and 13 rebounds.
“Credit also to Mapua for playing good defense like we do. Breaks of the game, kami ang nanalo. Credit to the boys,” San Sebastian tactician Egay Macaraya said.
“They never gave up and we really tried our best to win this game para maka-bounce back sa talo namin.”
The Stags trailed 30-32 at the break and 42-46 going into the fourth canto.
Rence Nocum carried the fight for Mapua with 15 points and four rebounds, while Arvin Gamboa contributed 12 markers.
