Useless playoff?

SAN BEDA reasserted its mastery over Arellano, hammering a 91-81 victory in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre.

But that may be the only reason coach Jamike Jarin was smiling last night.

Jarin lamented the need for a playoff to settle who gets the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, which puts a team against the fourth-ranked squad in the Final Four.

“It’s not a good ruling,” said Jarin, referring to the playoff that will be played on Tuesday. “Two teams already have a twice-to-beat advantage, but we can’t do anything about it. We just have to play our hearts out and not disrespect the game.”

Arellano and San Beda finished with 14-4 cards in the eliminations. But the Lions beat the Chiefs twice there.

Mapua clinched the third seed with a 67-63 victory over Perpetual.

The Cardinals will face the loser of the Arellano-San Beda clash in the Final Four, while the Altas tangle with the top seed.

Meanwhile, St. Benilde avoided a winless season by snatching a 65-61 victory from Lyceum.

The scores:

First Game

ST. BENILDE 65—Leutcheu 18, Dixon 12, Haruna 11, Fajarito 9, Young 6, Pasamante 5, Sta. Maria 2, Domingo JS 2, Castor 0, Domingo JJ 0, Suarez 0, Pajarillaga 0, Belgica 0, Pili 0.
LYCEUM 61—Caduyac 11, Baltazar 11, Nzeusseu 10, Alanes 8, Marata 6, Soliman 4, Malabanan 4, Ayaay 2, Bulawan 2, Alban 2, Gabayni 1, Magbuhos 0, Soriano 0, Rubite 0, Serafico 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 26-30, 41-47, 65-61

Second Game

MAPUA 67—Oraeme 14, Eriobu 10, Estrella 10, Victoria 8, Orquina 6, Isit 5, Menina 5, Raflores 4, Dela Rosa 4, Serrano 1, Bunag 0, Aguirre 0.
PERPETUAL 63—Eze 12, Ylagan 10, Hao 9, Dagangon 7, Mangalino 6, Coronel 5, Sadiwa 5, Yuhico 4, Dizon 3, Pido 2, Gallardo 0, Oliveria 0, Singontiko 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 32-37, 50-61, 67-63
Third Game
SAN BEDA 91—Mocon 19, Potts 18, Soberano 15, Adamos 12, Bolick 7, Tongco 7, Sara 3, Noah 3, Presbitero 3, Oftana 2, Bahio 2, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0
ARELLANO 81—Jalalon 14, Salado 13, Flores 13, Gumaru 11, Nicholls 10, Meca 7, Cadavis 6, Enriquez 3, Holts 2, Canete 2, Villoria 0, Aguilar 0, Zamora 0.
Quarters: 27-24, 47-42, 75-62, 91-81