Arellano University, behind the big games of Kent Salado, upended the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 75-69, earlier at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Kent Salado unloaded a game-high 18 for the Chiefs in posting their fourth triumph in the 10 games in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Justin Gutang knocked in 15 for the Blazers, who found their Final Four semifinals bid in trouble with their 6-7 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Marvin Taywan and Kriss Gurtiza made 16 points apiece for the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in stopping the San Sebastian Stags, 79-75.
It was the General’s second win in 12 outings.
The Stags, with Allyn Bulanadi hitting 28 points, dropped to a share of fifth with the Mapua Cardinals.
And this tightened the race for the three remaining semis slots.
The Blazers, who fell behind by as much as 17 points, 71-54, midway in the fourth, are now behind the fifth running Mapua Cardinals (7-6). This revived the Final Four aspirations of the San Sebastian Stags (7-5).
Attacks from Arana and Salado enabled the Chiefs to move away from a five-point spread midway in the third and jump to a 55-44 edge in the last two minutes.
The Blazers still managed to threaten, 69-72, off Justin Gutang’s driving layup in the last 45.7 seconds.
But after Gutang missed in the next play following a turnover, charities from Dariel Bayla and Salado allowed the Chiefs to stay ahead by six points when the game was over.
This could be one of CSB’s worst games, after they were held to a league low four perimeter points since they were 2 of 20 attempts outside the painted area. They are the only team this season so far not to make a single three-point basket in a game
In the junior division, the Arellano Braves outplayed the La Salle Green Hills Greenies, 70-67, to move up to solo third with their 8-6 card.
Chris Recto shot 15 points and had 12 rebounds while Mark Cuenco knocked in 13 points for the Braves, who took a 25-12 advantage in the first period.
The Greenies dropped into a three-team logjam for the fourth to sixth spots with a 7-6 standing.
They share the same record with the San Sebastian Staglets and Jose Rizal University Light Bombers.
Jiam Quiambao topscored with 15 points RC Calimag was held to just 10 points.
Milo Janao knocked in 20 points for San Sebastian College-Recoletos, who repulsed the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 95-77. The win pushed them back into the scramble for a playoff seat.