After humbly accepting the controversial double-overtime loss to Jose Rizal University (JRU) last week, the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs take the floor once again in search of redemption as they take on the St. Benilde Blazers today in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
The Chiefs lost to the Heavy Bombers, 112-114, last week but not without controversy as the referees failed to correct a wrongfully-credited three-pointer before Arellano fouled JRU’s Gio Lasquety thinking they were down by a point when the score was supposedly tied at 112-all.
Lasquety made both free throws with 1.2 seconds left to give JRU the victory.
After initially signifying its intent to protest the loss, Arellano eventually decided against it last Saturday. As it is, the Chiefs are now tied in fourth place with the Heavy Bombers at 6-4 (win-loss) but will have a chance to move ahead against an inconsistent Blazers squad that sit at the bottom with a 2-7 card.
In the second match, the Perpetual Help Altas (7-3) seek to solidify their hold of third place when they battle the Lyceum Pirates.
The team of head coach Topex Robinson though, will not be easy prey after winning over the San Sebastian Stags, 71-67, for their third win in 10 tries.