Chiefs face ‘must-win’ bid against Altas

MANILA, Philippines — Kent Salado is a doubtful starter but Arellano University is sure to go all-out for an all-important victory as the Chiefs face the ousted Perpetual Help Altas today in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

In joint fifth with the San Sebastian Stags, the Chiefs need to sweep their last two games, including their 2 p.m. match with the Altas, out of it all with a 4-11 card, to stay in hunt for the fourth and last semifinal berth.

Letran remains at fourth with an 8-8 slate with the Knights also seeking to sweep their last two games against San Beda and St. Benilde and foil the backdoor bids of the Chiefs and the Stags.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs hope to buck the possible absence of main man Salado, who injured his right leg early in the fourth quarter of Arellano’s 85-79 victory over San Sebastian last Tuesday that kept the Bustillos-based squad’s semis hopes alive.

“No need for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) but Dr. (Raul) Canlas checked him and he (Salado) will be 50-50 in our next game,” said AU coach Jerry Codiñera. “But with or without him, I told the team we have to be ready.”

“It’s a must win for us, we can’t afford to lose,” said Codiñera, whose wards will take on the ousted Mapua Cardinals in their final elims assignment on Tuesday.

Salado is the league-leading scorer with 19 points. He has also normed five assists and 1.3 steals.

Without Salado, Codiñera is expected to bank on Levi dela Cruz and Richard Abanes, among others.

Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College, with a 6-10 card, faces St. Benilde (3-13) at 4 p.m.

The Generals need to sweep their last two games, including against Perpetual Help on Oct. 17, and hope the Knights, Stags and the Chiefs won’t go over eight wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat.

Lyceum of the Phl U (16-0), San Beda (15-1) and Jose Rizal U (11-6) took the first three semis berths with the Pirates and the Lions gaining the twice-to-beat edges.