Chiefs gun for No. 1; Blazers seek playoff

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano University tries to cap its remarkable elims campaign as it shoots for the top seeding in the Final Four against ousted Lyceum today even as St. Benilde seeks a playoff for the last semis berth against Letran in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Chiefs shocked the heavily favored San Beda Lions last Saturday to formalize their first ever stint in the Final Four since joining the league five years ago. The win didn’t only assure Arellano of a twice-to-beat edge in the semis but also a crack at the top seeding.

A win over Lyceum, out of it all with a 6-11 mark, in the 4 p.m. duel will net the Chiefs the top seeding at 14-4 where they will take on the No. 4 team in the semis.

“Although we’re happy to make it to the Final Four and get that important twice-to-beat edge, we can’t think ahead of ourselves and just focus on the Lyceum game first,” said Arellano U coach Jerry Codiñera, whose wards routed the Pirates, 93-80, in the first round.

A reversal, however, will drop Arellano to a tie for first with San Beda at 13-5, necessitating a playoff for the No. 1 spot.

Codiñera attributed his team’s successes to efforts of American Dioncee Holts, Jiovani Jalalon, John Pinto and Keith Agovida and the re-emergence of pro-bound Prince Caperal.

“There are so many heroes but we can’t ignore the other parts and members of the team who played their roles in helping us where we are right now,” said Codiñera.

Meanwhile, St. Benilde guns for a playoff for the last semis seat as it faces Letran in the 2 p.m. opener.

The Blazers survived the undermanned Mapua Cardinals, 87-76, to improve to 11-6 and a win over the Knights, also out with a 8-9 slate, will force a three-way tie for third among Jose Rizal U, Perpetual Help and St. Benilde at 12-6.

But in such scenario, the Bombers will take the automatic third slot with a superior tiebreak score, leaving the Altas and the Blazers to dispute the last spot in a playoff.

“We played bad even though we won against Mapua. We can’t afford to play like this against Letran,” said St. Benilde mentor Gabby Velasco.