The Arellano University Chiefs learned to finish a game without injured Kent Salado on the floor in the final quarter.
Michael Canete and Zach Nichols stepped it up for the Chiefs in the closing minutes, and they went on to get past the San Sebastian Stags, 85-79, late Tuesday afternoon at the Arena in San Juan.
With their seventh in 16 games, the Chiefs stayed in contention for the last Final Four semifinals slot in the 93rdNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
Canete and Nichols had 12 points each in the fourth period, and they took charge after Salado left the court on an ankle sprain early in the quarter.
Canete kept the Stags at bay, 78-69, with back-to-back shots with 1:17 left to go before Nichols struck with a triple with 50 ticks on the clock, giving the Chiefs an 83-72 lead.
“It was up to them to close it out without. It was a challenge,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera.
The Chiefs moved to a share of fifth spot with the Stags because of this.
They will need to hurdle their remaining foes in the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Mapua Cardinals to remain in the running for a playoff spot in the stepladder semifinals.
A stepladder semifinals playoff looms should the Lyceum Pirates complete an 18-game sweep.
Despite his injury, Salado still led with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Canete had 15.
Salado hurt his right knee with less than nine minutes remaining in the last period and never returned.