Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Jio Jalalon torched San Beda Red Lions with a 25-point effort as Arellano University hammered out an emphatic 91-72 win to stay in the Final Four race in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Thursday (October 1) at The Arena in San Juan.
Jalalon shone the brightest in the first quarter when he fired 11 points and set the pace for the rout as the Chiefs jump from joint fifth with the Mapua Cardinals (10-6) to a share of third with the Perpetual Help Altas and Jose Rizal Bombers on 11-6 (win-loss) records.
The 19-point beating was also the Lions’ worst this season since absorbing an 80-93 defeat to the Letran Knights in the first round on July 16.
Arellano also foiled the reigning five-peat champion an outright Final Four berth and a twice-to-beat incentive.
San Beda fell to 12-5.
“We just want a win, plain and simple,” said Codinera.
Meanwhile, the College of St. Benilde Blazers squeezed past past Lyceum Pirates, 59-56.
Benilde improved to 5-12, while the Pirates fell to 4-14.
Gerard Castor scored a career-high 14 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the non-bearing game.
