Chiefs pulls the biggest upset on the defending champion San Sebastian; San Beda one win away from sweeping the Elims

Arellano U leaned on a clutch jumper by Adrian Celada with 10.2 seconds to go as it stunned defending champion San Sebastian, 64-62, yesterday in probably the biggest upset in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Scoreless the whole of the fourth quarter, the slippery, long-limbed Celada faked off a drive and launched a fade away jumper before an outstretched arm by Gilbert Bulawan to nail the jump that broke a 62-all tie and later the hearts of the Stags, who couldn’t come up with a decent shot in the final stretch.

After Ronnel del Rosario intercepted the pass by John Raymundo to Ian Sangalang with a couple of seconds to go, the Chiefs jumped and frantically celebrated in the center court as if they’ve won a championship.

“It’s our biggest win this season, we’re happy for the school,” said Arellano coach Leo Isaac.

The Chiefs have a chance to improve their record of 6-9 (win-loss) even further with a game against the Perpetual Help Altas (1-14) on Monday.

MVP race leader Calvin Abueva fired 21 points while Jonathan Semira scattered 16 points but the Stags continue to miss Ronald Pascual, who has yet to recover from the fever he got over a week back.

The Stags fell to their second loss against 13 wins.

In juniors’ action, San Beda leaned anew on a spectacular effort of Baser Amer as it walloped Letran, 86-71, to hike its total to 14-1.

Amer, playing his final season, had 16 points, a league best 16 assists and seven rebounds to help the Cubs avenge their only loss of the season.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, overpowered Arellano U, 81-59, to clinch the No. 2 seed and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it.

San Beda unleashed a second half onslaught as it overpowered archrival Letran, 74-56, yesterday to close in on a historic elimination round sweep in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Alder dela Rosa led all scorers with 19 points while Sudan Daniel had 14 points and a whopping 19 rebounds to propel the Lions to their 15th straight win and a win closer to booking the school’s first ever elimination round sweep.

One more win though against defending champion San Sebastian on Wednesday would accomplish the rare feat while sealing San Beda outright entry to the finals.

“A twice-to-beat is good but a sweep is better,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Knights fell to their ninth setback against six losses, coach Louie Alas’ first losing season in more than a decade with the Dominican school.

The win surpassed San Beda's longest streak at 14 set four years ago while matching the longest streak in the lead at 15 recorded by San Sebastian last season.

The scores:


Arellano U 64- Celada 22, Ciriacruz 18, Acidre 10, del Rosario 6, Lapuz 3, Zulueta 2, Palma 0, Casino 0, Caperal 0, Virtudazo 0
San Sebastian 62- Abueva 21, Semira 16, Najorda 7, Bulawan 6, Sangalang 4, del Rio 4, Gorospe 2, Raymundo 2, dela Cruz 0, Gatchalian 0
Quarterscores: 14-7; 34-26; 54-39; 64-62

San Beda 74- dela Rosa 19, Daniel 14, J. Pascual 11, Marcelo 10, D. Semerad 5, Hermida 4, Lanete 4, A. Semerad 3, Caram 2, Villahermosa 2, K. Pascual 0
Letran 56- Ke. Alas 18, Cortes 7, Belencion 6, Kr. Alas 6, Dysam 4, Belorio 4, Espiritu 3, Pantin 2, Taplah 2, Almazan 2, Rodil 2, Roxas 0
Quarterscores: 17-15; 32-27; 48-39; 74-56