Arellano University earned itself a spot in the NCAA Season 93 men’s football Finals after turning back Lyceum, 3-1, on Monday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Charles Gamutan struck in the 46th minute before Roberto Corsame Jr. and Patrick Bernarte followed suit in the 56th and 71st minute, respectively, to put the match beyond doubt for the Chiefs.
Levi Malihan tried a last ditch effort to pull the Pirates back, sending the ball to the back of the net at the 81st minute, but it was a case of too little too late for Lyceum.
With the win, Arellano moves closer to regaining the crown after yielding the title to San Beda last season. The best-of-three finals duel begins on Friday.
In the other Final Four matchup, defending champion San Beda stayed alive after edging College of St. Benilde, 2-1, to force a decider for the last finals ticket.
Nimrod Balabat scored the winner in the 92nd minute to set up the do-or-die on Wednesday.
Mark Anthony Magtoto put the Red Booters up in the 29th minute before Green Booter Major Dean Ebarle knotted things up, 1-1, in the 52nd minute.
It was a huge sigh of relief for the Red Booters, who found themselves dropping from the top seed to number four following the forfeiture of two of their wins after fielding in an ineligible player in midfielder Dane Peñaflor.
In the juniors division, reigning titlist San Beda dumped Letran, 7-1, while CSB-La Salle Greenhills slipped past Arellano, 2-1, as the two winning squads clash for all the marbles on Friday.