Chiefs edge closer to Final 4, rip Knights

Games tomorrow

9 a.m. – Perpetual Help vs EAC (Jrs/Srs)

1 p.m. – San Sebastian vs Lyceum (Jrs/Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano U outgunned a Kevin Racal-less Letran in the second half as it hammered out a 79-70 victory yesterday to zero in on the second Final Four berth in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

John Pinto took charge in the third quarter while Keith Agovida and American Dioncee Holts stepped up in the last period to help power the Chiefs to their 12th victory against four losses and assure themselves of at least a playoff for a semis slot.

Letran bowed out of the semis race with a 6-9 card.

St. Benilde likewise firmed up its semis bid by upending Jose Rizal U, 71-69, in the other game, seizing solo third at 10-5 with three games left.

Luis Sinco hit two triples that highlighted his 10-point explosion in the fourth quarter as the Blazers rallied to frustrate the Bombers and close in on the third Final Four berth.

The Bombers led in the first three quarters but lost steam in the fourth and failed to neutralize Sinco. They dropped to joint fourth at 9-6 with the Perpetual Help Altas.

Pinto, eyed by Globalport in the PBA, poured in 10 of his 12 in the third period while Agovida and Holts put in six markers apiece in the last 10 minutes to finish 19 and 10 points, respectively.

The victory also pushed Arellano U one win away from making its first ever trip to the Final Four since it joined the league five years ago. The Chiefs will take on the four-peat champion San Beda Lions on Oct. 4 and the Lyceum Pirates on Oct. 8,

“We just came out strong in the second half, that was the biggest difference,” said Arellano U coach Jerry Codiñera, who steered the Chiefs to their first season sweep of the Knights.

Letran sorely missed the services of co-captain Racal, who tore an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in practice the day before, particularly in the second half when the Chiefs wrested control.

With Marc Cruz, Reneford Ruaya and Jamil Gabawan scoring seven points apiece, the Knights actually came out strong and posted double digits in the first half before settling with a 40-33 lead at the break.

But Pinto came through with a string of baskets as Arellano U tied the count at 58 at the end of the third period before Agovida and Holts took charge the rest of the way.

Letran coach Caloy Garcia was ejected with less than a minute left in the contest for continuous complaining over what he perceived as non-calls from the game officials.

“I don’t know why, it’s really beyond me we’re not getting the calls,” rued Garcia.

The scores:

First Game

Arellano U 79 – Agovida 19, Pinto 12, Jalalon 10, Holts 10, Ciriacruz 8, Hernandez 6, Palma 4, Caperal 4, Gumaru 2, Salcedo 2, Bangga 1, Enriquez 1, Nicholls 0, Ortega 0

Letran 70 – Ruaya 20, Cruz 10, Gabawan 9, Quinto 7, Luib 6, Saldua 5, Calvo 3, Tambeling 3, Nambatac 3, Castro 2, Publico 2, Apreku 0, Singontiko 0

Quarterscores: 11-23, 33-40; 58-all; 79-70

Second Game

St. Benilde 71 – Taha 16, Romero 14, Sinco 12, Saavedra 9, Grey 9, Ongteco 8, Altamirano 3, Jonson 0, Nayve 0, Pajarillaga 0, Bartolo 0

Jose Rizal 69 – Paniamogan 19, Teodoro 10, Mabulac 10, Sanchez 9, Abdul Wahab 8, Grospe 6, Benavides 6, Lasquety 1, Salaveria 0, Asuncion 0

Quarterscores: 14-16; 35-37; 48-56; 71-69