Chiefs eye Final Four advantage

ARELLANO shoots for the second twice-to-beat bonus when it tangles with struggling San Beda today in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Gametime is at 2:30 p.m. with the Chiefs looking to seal their entry to the next round and gain an edge against any team they’ll be facing in the Final Four.

Already assured of a twice-to-beat edge, the Red Lions are looking to become the No. 1 seed in the Final Four for the ninth straight season.

Perpetual Help meets San Sebastian in the first game at 12:30 p.m. with the Altas looking to assure themselves of at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.

With a 12-4 record, the Chiefs can still bag the top seeding at the end of the elimination round with a win over the Red Lions and the Lyceum Pirates on Friday.

The Chiefs can take plenty of encouragement from San Beda’s dip in form in the last two games, where the Lions bowed to Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal.

“We all know what San Beda is capable of so we can’t really put much into its last two games,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codiñera, who is looking to steer Arellano to its first Final Four appearance since joining the league in 2009.

The Altas have won their last three games, including a crucial 65-65 win over the St. Benilde Blazers last Wednesday.

A win over the Stags, who are on a three-game roll, does not guarantee a Final Four spot for the Altas as Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde are also on track of finishing with 12-6 records, granting they win their remaining games next week. Even Arellano can still fall to 12-6 if it drops its last two games.

The Bombers gained a tie of third spot with the Altas after winning via forfeiture over the Mapua Cardinals yesterday. The Cardinals failed to show up after only having four players for the game due to suspension and injuries.

In the other game, Letran, powered by Ford Ruaya’s season-high 19 points, chalked up just its seventh win of the season, after drubbing Lyceum, 77-52. The Knights improved to 7-9, while the Pirates fell to 6-11.

The scores:
LETRAN 77—Ruaya 19, Cruz 13, Gabawan 8, Nambatac 8, Singontiko 7, Tambeling 6, Calvo 4, Luib 4, Apreku 2, Castro 2, Publico 2, Saldua 2, Quinto 0.
LYCEUM 52—Gabayni 17, Taladua 14, Bulawan 9, Lesomoras 5, Mbida 3, Elmejrab 2, Soliman 2, Baltazar 0, Maconocido 0, Malabanan 0, Zamora 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 32-26, 58-43, 77-52