By Dugout Philippines
The Arellano Chiefs completed a comeback from an early dry spell to trounce the Letran Knights, 79-70, in their NCAA match at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Chiefs trailed by 12 points after the first quarter, 11-23.
The Knights retained the advantage after the second period, 40-33.
Arellano, however, unleashed a third quarter run to the game up, 58-all, entering the payoff period.
The Chiefs finally took the lead after a Dioncee Holts follow-up with four minutes remaining, igniting the game-deciding 13-3 run that drew the Knights closer to getting eliminated.
Keith Agovida led Arellano, which can officially clinch its first-ever NCAA Final Four berth with a win against San Beda on October 4, with 19 points and ten rebounds.
Ford Ruaya had a game-high 20 points for Letran, which needs to win all of its remaining three games and hope that current fourth-placer Perpetual Help will falter in its own last three matches to have a shot at the Final Four.
Box Scores:
Arellano 79–Agovida 19, Pinto 12, Jalalon 10, Holts 10, Criacruz 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
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