ARELLANO University relied on Jade Talampas’s game-winning three-pointer to stun San Beda, 74-72, to keep its flickering hope for the Final Four alive in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 seniors basketball action Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The 23-year-old Talampas, a 6-foot-2 combo player, poured in 14 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning triple, as the Chiefs snatched their second victory in 10 games.
Arellano University unleashed two big runs—first in the third quarter where it overhauled double-digit deficits and the other late in the game—to complete the stunning fightback and deal San Beda its third defeat against seven wins.
After Talampas nailed the last of his three thunderous triples with five seconds to go, the Chiefs held their ground as San Beda’s Filipino-Canadian neophyte Jomel Puno missed a potential overtime-forcing layup before the final buzzer.
When the smoke cleared, the Chiefs celebrated the giant-sized win as if they have won a championship while the Red Lions were stunned for letting what looked like a won game slip from their hands.
The Red Lions sputtered from solo second to a share of third spot with the idle Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.
The Chiefs hounded San Beda’s leading scorer Jacob Cortez to his season-worse two points.
Ralph Yanes chipped in 11 points while team captain Danielle Mallari and Troy Valencia added 10 points apiece for the Chiefs.
The loss spoiled San Beda wingman James Payosing’s career 20-point performance and beanpole Clifford Jopia’s 11-point, 18-rebound and three-block effort.
Ry de la Rosa delivered his best game yet this season as he powered Jose Rizal University (JRU) to an emphatic 79-72 victory over San Sebastian College to claim solo fourth place.
Sidelined most of the first round because of health issues, the sweet-shooting team captain sizzled with a season-high 19 points he highlighted with six three-pointers that shoved the Heavy Bombers to their seventh win in 11 games.
The Kalentong-based school moved half a game closer to joint second placers San Beda and Lyceum of the Philippines University with 7-3 cards and just a game and a half behind No. 1 Mapua (8-2).
The Stags sdropped to 3-8.
Image credits: Rudy Esperas