Chiefs nip Knights, near NCAA semis

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

John Pinto took charge in the third quarter while Keith Agovida and American Dioncee Holts stepped up in the final period to help seal the Chiefs their 12th victory against four losses and at least a playoff for a Final Four slot.

Pinto, who is expected to get signed up by Global Port after the season, poured in 10 of his 12 in the third canto while Agovida and Holts scattered six apiece in the last canto to finish 19 and 10 points, respectively.

The win also pushed Arellano U, which will take on four-peat champion San Beda on Oct. 4 and Lyceum on Oct. 8, one win away from making its first ever trip to the Final Four since its entry five seasons back.

It was also the Chiefs' first season sweep of the Knights in their six seasons in the league.

"We just came out strong in the second half, that was the biggest difference," said Arellano U coach Jerry Codinera.

The Knights came into the game without their co-captain Kevin Racal, who tore an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in practice the day before.

But Letran appeared unperturbed and even led by double digits in the first half before settling with a 40-33 lead at the break with Mark Cruz, the other team skipper, Reneford Ruaya and Jamil Gabawan stepping up in Racal's absence by scoring seven points apiece.

And then Pinto went on attack mode and willed Arellano U back to knot the count at 58-all at the end of the third period before Agovida and Holts took charge the rest of the way.

The Knights' frustration ended up with Letran mentor Caloy Garcia being ejected with less than a minute left in the game for continuous complaining.

Garcia, who was tossed out the second time this season, said they're just not getting the breaks from the officials.

"I don't know why, it's really beyond me we're not getting the calls," said an exasperated Garcia.

Letran fell to 6-9 (win-loss) and out of semifinal contention.

The scores:

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, 58-58, 79-70