ARELLANO tries to add one more milestone to what has been a stirring elimination-round campaign, while San Beda seeks to preserve one more record that has survived the past decade.
The Chiefs aim to lock up the No. 1 berth for the first time since they joined the league in 2009 when they clash with the Red Lions today in the final elimination-round playdate of NCAA Season 92 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“It would be nice to add that accomplishment to add to our record this season and doing it against San Beda, which has tormented teams in the league for so long, should make it even more special,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera, whose team already surpassed its highest win total of 13 set two seasons ago when the Chiefs reached the finals but lost to the Lions.
The Lions, who, like the Chiefs, will have a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals, aim to keep their decade-long streak of owning the top seed heading into the Final Four 4 in the 4 p.m. tiff serving as a possible finals preview.
The streak started in 2006 when San Beda won the first of its eight crowns in a 10-year span. A win against the Chiefs will force a playoff for the top seed.
Already qualified for the Final Four, Mapua and Perpetual Help square off at 2 p.m. with the winner clinching the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. St. Benilde tries to avoid a winless season as it battles Lyceum starting at noon.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian ended the season with an 85-58 drubbing of dispirited Jose Rizal U en route to an 8-10 record.
The Stags registered the most wins by any team so far in the second round, where they went 7-2, a record that the Chiefs can match with a win over the Lions.
Letran finished the season tied with JRU at sixth spot with a 9-9 record, after a 93-87 overtime win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The scores:
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 85—Bulanadi 14, Calisaan 13, Costelo 13, Capobres 12, Fabian 7, Mercado 6, Gayosa 5, David 4, Serajosef 4, Ilagan 3, Baetiong 2, Valdez 1, Calma 1, Quipse 0.
JRU 58—Pontejos 14, Poutouochi 10, Cruz 9, Teodoro 8, Lasquety 6, Dela Paz 5, Grospe 4, Caballero 1, Dela Virgen 1, Astilla 0, Dada 0, Mendoza 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 42-29, 63-45, 85-58
Second Game
LETRAN 93—Sollano 21, Nambatac 15, Quinto 12, Balanza 11, Calvo 11, Apreku 8, Bernabe 5, Ambohot 4, Balagasay 4, Dela Pena 2, Luib 0, Pambid 0, Sario 0, Ular 0, Vacaro 0.
EAC 87—Laminou 23, Onwubere 23, Munsayac 12, King 9, Serrano 6, Morada 5, Guzman 3, Pascua 3, Diego 2, Neri 1, Aguas 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, General 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 33-35, 56-54, 82-82 (reg.), 93-87 (OT)