Chiefs hanging by a thread

Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City) 8 a.m. – San Beda vs EAC (Jrs) 10 a.m. – JRU vs SSCR (Jrs) 12 noon – San Beda vs EAC (Srs) 2 p.m. – JRU vs SSCR (Srs) 4 p.m. – Lyceum vs Letran (Srs) 6 p.m. – Lyceum vs Letran (Jrs)

Last year’s finalist Arellano breathed life into a slim Final Four campaign yesterday when it cruised to a 95-65 win over College of St. Benilde in the 93rd NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Chiefs waxed hot early in the game and raced to a 28-16 first quarter lead, never getting threatened on the strength of 12 three-pointers and a 50 percent field goal shooting.

The win tied Arellano with Emilio Aguinaldo College for sixth place after hiking its win-loss tally to 6-9 – two games behind fifth-running Letran (8-7).

“This win gives up hope that we still have a shot at the Final Four. We’re still upbeat,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera, whose team still has three assignments left at the end of the elims.

“We just have to close out our games hard and try to find ways to look for other options (inside the court),” he added.

Kent Salado bannered Arellano U with a double-double effort of 16 points and 11 assists, while Zach Nichols finished with 13 points – all in the second half – spiked by three triples.

Lervin Flores contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Levi Dela Cruz, Rence Alcoriza, and Richard Abanes chipped in 11 markers each.

St. Benilde got into early trouble by failing to move the ball around with only three assists while committing 16 of its 24 turnovers in the first half.

The Blazers made few attempts to stem the bleeding in the third, with Kendrix Belgica and Unique Naboa steering the squad. But the Chiefs’ 30point cushion proved insurmountable.