Chiefs stay in F4 hunt

Don’t count the Arellano Chiefs out just yet.

Kent Salado stood at the forefront of Arellano’s charge as the Chiefs continued their late assault at a Final Four berth with a 95-65 whipping of also-ran St. Benilde last Thursday in NCAA Season 93 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Salado scattered 16 points and dished out 11 assists as the Chiefs rolled to their sixth win in 15 games, pulling level with Emilio Aguinaldo College at sixth spot.

It was the biggest win of the season yet for the Chiefs who, for most of the season, have been a shadow of the team that reached the Final Four the past three years.

“It’s a very important (win) and I can’t exaggerate it because actually all our remaining games are important,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera. “If we were able to do this in the first round, I think we would have a better chance. But nonetheless, this win gives us hope.”

The Chiefs shot 50 percent from the field as five other players posted double digit outputs, including Zach Nicholls and Lervin Flores, who chipped in 13 points and 12 points, respectively.

“We expected this performance from Kent (Salado) because he’s really matured,” said Codiñera, whose team took an early double-digit lead and never looked back. “We had a good start and the support group also responded.”

The win gave the Chiefs a lifeline in the race for the two remaining Final Four spots. As it stands, Jose Rizal holds pole position with a 9-7 record with Letran (8-7) and San Sebastian (7-7) also in the running.

While Codiñera knows their fate is no longer in their hands, the Arellano coach is hopeful the other teams slip.

“We just have to win our remaining games and hope for the best,” he said. “If we end up with nine (wins), we might finish third especially with the win over the other rule. I think we have a good chance with the quotient system.”

Later, Mapua notched its second straight win at the expense of Perpetual Help, 76-71.

Andoy Estrella picked up 22 points including nine in the final period while Christian Buñag added 16 points as the Cardinals improved to 3-12. The Blazers dropped to last place with a 3-13 card.