Third-year veteran Levi dela Cruz only had 10 points and was doing badly with his outside shots.
But after getting tongue-lashing from coach Jerry Codinera, the 5’7” De la Cruz connected with a risky triple and lifted the Arellano Chiefs to a close 82-81 overtime victory over the San Sebastian Stags yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
Adrian Ablan went on to top-score with 18 points for the Chiefs, who picked up their second win in three games in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
“Napagalitan ko pa nga bago niya iyung tirang iyun. Sinabihan ko na mag-execute. It was a desperation shot. He does not back down on an opportunity,” said Codinera.
The Stags, who now have a 2-3 slate, were ahead in the last 14.2 seconds after JM Calma knocked in one of two charities, 80-79.
They had chance to still win it. But Dela Cruz stole the ball off Arjan dela Cruz as time winded down, allowing the Chiefs to keep keep possession and set up the game-winning trey.
The game got tied at 72-all in regulation when Chiefs’ cager Rence Alcoriza scored after a Dela Cruz assist with 28 seconds left.
Michael Calisaan scored 28 points for the Stags, but he bungled a chance to win the game for SSC in the last 11.9 seconds when he missed two charities.
Earlier, the Letran Knights jumped to a strong start, got 14 points apiece from Christian Fajarito and Larry Muyang and swamped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 74-58, for a 2-1 record.
Fajarito struck with 8 points in the second period to power the Knights to a 39-31 halftime edge, while Muyang shot 11 points in the third canto to hand Letran a 12-point edge, 65-43.
“Kahit sino puwedeng mag-step up. ‘Yung mga second unit players, nasuportahan nila iyung mga leaders namin sa team. Kaya naging pabor sa amin ang game,” said Knights’ coach Jeff Napa.
In junior action, Mapua recruit Romuel Junsay struck hard in the final minute to carry the unbeaten Arellano Braves to a 98-93 triumph over the San Sebastian Staglets and their third consecutive victory.
Junsay, who made 27 points, drove in and assisted rookie CJ Tolentino for a basket that gave the Braves a six-point edge, 98-92.
“Hindi kami puwede mag-kumpiyansa. Pantay ang lakas ng lahat ng teams,” said Braves’ coach Tylon Darjuan.
The JRU Light Bombers (2-2) drew 15 points from John de los Santos and topped the Letran Squires, 71-59.
