Chiefs trip Generals to start NCAA Season 98

Shane Menina. Photo c/o Angela Davocol

Arellano University topped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 63-58, to commence the men's basketball competition of the 98th season of the NCAA on Saturday afternoon at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

After a Kris Gurtiza drive to put the Generals ahead, 55-53, the Chiefs would score six straight points to take the lead for good, capped by a Shane Menina layup with 104 seconds remaining.

Ralph Robin converted a triple with 42.3 seconds remaining to make it 59-58, but Menina converts two free throws with eleven seconds left.

Robin tried to replicate that magic, but he missed the game-tying triple, with Axel Doromal securing the miss as the clock ticked down to 5.1 seconds. He converted the subsequent free throws to seal the victory.

Menina topped all scorers with fifteen points in his return to the league, while adding five rebounds. The Cebuano guard previously played for Mapua to start his collegiate odyssey.

Doromal finished with thirteen points and six boards, with Neil Tolentino also finishing in double figures with ten markers.

Allen Liwag led EAC with twelve points, thirteen rebounds, and three assists. His efforts in the second quarter allowed the Generals to take a 32-23 lead in the second quarter, before Menina would anchor a 10-3 run by the Chiefs to make it 35-33 heading into the break.

UST transfer Nat Cosejo added ten points and six rebounds.

Arellano stepped as a late replacement for Opening Day, after Letran had to deal with health and safety protocols days before the start of the competition.

Before the game, everyone was treated to a special opening ceremony, with artists from the Sparkle GMA Artists Center providing an added element to the event, dubbed as "Pista ng Atleta."

The scores:

Arellano (63) -- Menina 15, Doromal 13, Tolentino 10, Flores 9, Mantua 5, Oftana 3, Mallari 2, Abastillas 2, Oliva 2, Talampas 2, Sunga 0.

EAC (58) -- Liwag 12, Cosejo 10, Maguliano 9, Gurtiza 8, Umpad 8, Luciano 4, Tolentino 4, Robin 3, Balowa 0, An. Doria 0, Ad. Doria 0, Bajon 0.

Quarterscores: 14-17, 33-35, 46-47, 63-58.