Red Lions cool off Blazers; Chiefs trip Cardinals

MANILA, Philippines—Garvo Lanete and Dave Marcelo delivered in the clutch as San Beda trounced St. Benilde, 84-75, Wednesday to solidify its hold of second spot in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

The veteran duo combined for 16 points in the fourth period, helping quell a late run by the Blazers and lead the Lions to their 13th win in 15 games that shoved them a full game ahead of third-running Letran.

Arellano put a dent on Mapua’s Final Four ambitions in the second game as the Chiefs, already out of contention, avenged a first-round loss to the Cardinals, 73-69.

“We were shaky, but Garvo (Lanete) and (Dave) Marcelo played well and we got good support from the bench,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who drew almost equal production from his starters and his reserves.

But the Blazers, who remain in Final Four contention despite falling to 5-10, placed the game under protest after game officials barred Carlo Lastimosa from returning to the court in the last 2:47 of the game.

With the Blazers trailing, 67-74, Lastimosa, who just scored back-to-back baskets, went down injured from a foul by Baser Amer, prompting St. Benilde’s physical therapist to rush to the court to check the injury without asking permission from referees.

Because the therapist failed to seek permission from the referee, Lastimosa was sent to the bench in favor of a mandatory substitution. Under league rules, Lastimosa may be fielded back only after a three-minute break.

Michael Pate, who replaced Lastimosa, canned the two free throws, cutting the deficit, 69-74.

But Marcelo buried a short stab and Anthony Semerad scored on a putback, before Garvo Lanete split two free throws to wrap up the win, 79-73, with 58 seconds remaining.

“We just want to know if they have been consistent with the application of the rules,” said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario.

League commissioner Aric del Rosario said coaches agreed to the rule before the start of the season.

Playing in his final season for Arellano, Andrian Celada fired 12 of his 21 points in the second quarter as the Chiefs built a a 13-point lead, 35-22.

Mark Doligon also had 17 points in just 24 minutes for the Chiefs, who shot a season-high 51 percent from the field to help compensate for a 25-49 deficit in rebounds.

The Cardinals fell to fifth with a 7-10 record and now need to beat Jose Rizal on Oct. 3 to at least secure a playoff for the remaining Final Four berth.

Jerald Lapuz, who sustained a nasty cut just under his right eye in the second period, finished with 12 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.

“We were shooting well even if we were just relying on isolation plays,” said Arellano coach Leo Isaac, whose squad avenged a 73-70 loss to the Cardinals.

“The challenge was for my graduating players to leave their mark on their final games for the school and they responded well.”