Geronimo! Chiefs leap past Blazers in stunning upset

Ernest Geronimo —NCAA PHOTO

An upset finally caught up with St. Benilde.

After blowing a huge lead and needing to survive in overtime in its last game, the Blazers finally caved, losing to Arellano, 73-71, on Friday to drop out of the solo lead in the NCAA Season 100 at San Juan Arena.

The Chiefs have Ernest Geronimo to thank for just their third victory in nine games.

Battling cramps, the sophomore guard from Morong in Rizal province, poured in six of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a short jumper that sealed the win for the Chiefs.

“There’s no secret, really, just a fighting heart and preparation,” said Arellano coach Chico Manabat, whose wards also pulled off a stunner of sorts when they beat San Beda last month.

“They (Blazers) were confident, we wanted to win. [We had] nothing to lose but everything to gain.”

Tied on top

St. Benilde blew a 26-point third-quarter lead before surviving San Sebastian, 96-94, last Tuesday and tried to work the same magic against Arenllano, to no avail.

The Blazers dropped to a tie with idling Mapua at 6-2 (win-loss) on top of the standings after failing to stop Geronimo’s heroics.

“I practice that shot, that’s why coach kept telling me to just take it,” he said of his dagger.

Allen Liwag finished with 18 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and two blocks for St. Benilde. The Blazers star, however, had just one point in the final period.

In the other game, Jose Rizal University (JRU) defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College, 75-63, to catch their foes at 3-5.

Joshua Guiab recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead JRU while Robin Bernardo added 13.

King Gurtiza scored 15 for the Generals.