Mapua, Arellano to battle for last slot in NCAA Final Four

MANILA, Philippines – With Jose Rizal University having an express ticket to the semi-final round due to quotient system, Mapua Institute of Technology and Arellano University will vie for the one remaining slot in NCAA Season 91’s Final Four on Tuesday, October 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The crowded Final Four picture will require a stepladder playoff to break the three-way tie as JRU, Mapua and Arellano finished the league’s double-round robin eliminations with the same record of 12-6.

Arellano and Mapua had the lowest quotient among 3 teams as the Legarda-based Chiefs averaged -21 in point difference and were followed by the Atoy Co-mentored Cardinals with -1.

The winner of the Mapua-Arellano duel will earn an automatic Final Four berth and will dance with JRU on Thursday, October 15 to determine the no. 3 seed in the crossover semi-final phase.

Meanwhile, the losing squad in the battle for the no. 3 seat will square off with the victor of the meeting between San Beda College and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which will lock horns for the no.1 spot on Tuesday as well.

Mapua stayed in contention for a Final Four slot by easily cruising to an 88-63 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday, October 9.

Reliable reinforcement Allwell Oraeme had a double-double feat of 16 markers and 15 boards to come along with 3 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks, while Josan Nimes made his scoring presence felt after 6 silent outings as he amassed 13 points and 7 dimes.

The red-and-gold troop has won 8 of their 9 outings in the second round of eliminations after finishing the first round with a 4-5 slate, beating every brigade in the league except for San Beda.

Mapua has not tasted a regular Final Four appearance since 2008 when in 2010, the Cardinals had to face and eventually lost to JRU in the first round of a stepladder series as San Beda won its 16 elimination matches to qualify for the Finals outright and claim a thrice-to-beat advantage in the championship.

On the other hand, Arellano brushed off EAC with a 98-90 triumph on Tuesday, October 6 to remain in the heated semi-final race.

Jiovani Jalalon wrapped up Arellano’s last fixture in the NCAA Season 91 elimination round with his fourth triple-double performance, registering 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Jerry Codiñera’s boys have picked up big wins in the regular season, including back-to-back blowouts versus San Beda.

Arellano had its first trip to the Final Four in 2014 when the Chiefs went on to the championship stage but ultimately bowed to San Beda in two games.

Arellano and Mapua were 1-1 against each other in the eliminations as the Chiefs bagged a 100-96 win in overtime on July 17, while the Cardinals avenged their first-round setback with an 81-76 victory on September 18. – Rappler.com