THE Arellano University Chiefs are still in the hunt for a Final Four semifinals slot in the 93rd Season of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Kent Salado and his teammates kept the Chiefs in contention with their 95- 65 swamping of the College of St. Benilde Blazers yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Salado, who took the place of court general Jiovani Jalalon, tallied 16 points and 11 assists in carrying the Chiefs to their seventh win in 15 matches.
The Chiefs went on to have a 50 percent field goal performance as they bounced back from their loss to the San Beda Red Lions.
The victory allowed the Chiefs to gain a share of sixth place with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
“This win is very important for us. Hindi ko maexaggerate ang importance. Hindi mo pa alam ang mangyayari,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera.
So far, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers are in third at 9-6 while the Letran Knights are in fourth at 8-7. The San Sebastian College Stags are fifth at 7-7.
Rence Alcoriza hit nine of his11-point total production in the first period, allowing Arellano to start strong with a 28-16 edge.
On the other hand, Salado banged in eight in the second period in leading the Chiefs to a 48-33 halftime spread.
In the junior action, the Arellano University Braves also kept their slim chances of reaching the Final Four alive after their 71-63 stoppage of the La Salle Greenhills Greenies.
Fred Segura knocked in 18 points in leading the Braves to their seventh win in 15 matches.
Inand Fornillos made 17 points for the Greenies, who now have a 10-5 slate in second spot.
This kept the San Beda Red Cubs(9-5) in contention for the no. 2 seeding.
Games Today (At the Arena in San Juan)
8 a.m. San Beda vs EAC(jrs)
10 a.m. JRU vs San Sebastian (jrs)
12 nn. San Beda vs EAC (srs)
2 p.m. JRU vs SSC (srs)
4 p.m. Lyceum vs Letran (srs)
6 p.m. Lyceum vs Letran (jrs