ARELLANO and San Beda punched tickets to the Final Four with games to spare, while Perpetual Help outlasted Jose Rizal U, 89-80, in double overtime to close in on a postseason berth in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jio Jalalon delivered another all-around effort with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as Arellano stopped Letran, 83-74, for the first time in two seasons to advance to the next round along with San Beda, which overwhelmed Lyceum, 89-73, earlier.
“It’s great to be back, but our target now is to get a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera.
With his family from Cagayan de Oro flying in earlier this week to watch him play, Jalalon put on a show of shooting and playmaking to help the Chiefs secure their 12th win in 15 games, while sending the defending champion Knights to the brink of elimination.
With the victory, the Red Lions clinched a Final Four spot for the 11th straight season.
JRU dropped to 9-7 with two games left in its season while Letran fell to 8-8.
The scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 89—Akhuetie 28, Dagangon 15, Singontiko 13, Ilagan 10, Coronel 9, Pido 6, Sadiwa 4, Eze 4, Gallardo 0, Dizon 0.
JRU 80—Teodoro 23, Grospe 13, Dela Virgen 13, Dela Paz 11, AbdulWahab 6, Pontejos 5, Cruz 4, Mendoza 3, Poutouochi 2, Lasquety 0, Astilla 0.
Quarters: 14-11, 27-28, 43-43, 64-64 (reg), 74-74 (OT), 89-80
Second Game
SAN BEDA 89—Noah 22, Potts 19, Soberano 17, Mocon 12, Sara 9, Adamos 6, Bolick 2, Optana 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Bahio 0, Bonsubre 0.
LYCEUM 73—Caduyac 27, Ayaay 17, Marata 11, Soliman 6, Nzeusseu 5, Alban 4, Baltazar 3, Gabayni 0, Alanes 0, Rubite 0, Soriano 0, Bulawan 0, Serafico 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 46-32, 64-55, 89-73.
Third Game
ARELLANO U 83—Jalalon 22, Salado 12, Gumaru 10, Cadavis 8, Holts 8, Nichols 8, Meca 7, Flores 6, Villoria 2, Aguilar 0, Enriquez 0, Gupilan 0.
LETRAN 74—Nambatac 28, Sollano 15, Quinto 10, Balanza 9, Calvo 7, Luib 3, Apreku 2, Ambohot 0, Balagasay 0, Bernabe 0, dela Pena 0.
Quarters: 20-10, 45-30, 65-53, 83-74