Chiefs down Pirates, return to NCAA football finals

Game Wednesday night

(Rizal Memorial pitch)

6 p.m. – San Beda vs CSB (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University turned back Lyceum of the Philippines U, 3-1, to book the first finals slot even as San Beda downed top seed St. Benilde, 2-0, to keep its title-retention bid alive in the 93rd NCAA senior football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Complex pitch Monday.

The second-seeded Chiefs leaned on goals of Charles Gamutan, Roberto Corsame, Jr. and Pstrick Bernarte on the 46th, 56th and 71st minute, respectively, and a rock-solid defense that stymied the third-seeded Pirates most of the match to clinch its return to the best-of-three finals since making it that far and winning it all two seasons back.

LPU’s lone goal came on the 81st courtesy of Levi Mahilan when the showdown was already decided.

AU will play the winner of the San Beda-CSB duel in Game One on Friday.

Game Two is on Monday while a decider, if necessary, is on January 17.

The Red Booters, who slid from first to fourth after admitting midfielder Dane Penaflor was ineligible due to academics that resulted three forfeited games, relied on the heroics of Mark Anthony Magtoto and Nimrod Balabat, who scored a goal apiece, to force a sudden death match against the Blazers tomorrow.

Magtoto capitalized on CSB’s defensive lapses and scored the first goal on the 29th before Balabat put the game away with a goal in injury time.

In juniors’ play, reigning titlist San Beda walloped Letran, 7-1, and CSB-La Salle Greenhills edged AU, 2-1, to arrange a best-of-three duel also opening on Friday.