Arellano pips San Beda

THE Arellano University Chiefs leaned on the giant heart of diminutive guard John Pinto who delivered the killer plays in crunchtime to upset reigning NCAA champions, San Beda, 67-66, in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Pinto, a native of Davao, had nine of the team’s 11 fourth period points and orchestrated their offense to perfection leading to the go-ahead basket by John Bangga who was also fouled in the process. Bangga missed the free-throw but on their next possession Pinto scored on a jumper for a, 67-64 lead with 1:04 left.
The Red Lions came within one after a perimeter shot by Baser Amer but they failed to overtake their opponents even after two missed free-throws by James Forrester with 5.4 seconds remaining.
Pinto finished with 17 points while Forrester added 11 as they improved to 5-2 (win-loss). San Beda fell to 3-2.
In other games, the University of the East Red Warriors got past the Lyceum Pirates, 81-72.
BOX SCORES
Arellano (67) – Pinto 17, Forrester 11, Hernandez 6, Salcedo 6, Bangga 6, Enriquez 6, Jalalon 5, Cadavis 4, Caperal 2, Agovida 2, Margallo 2, Nicholls 0.
San Beda (66) – Dela Rosa 14, Amer 13, Pascual 8, Adeogun 8, Abarcar 8, A. Semerad 7, Koga 4, Dela Cruz 2, Ludovice 2, D. Semerad 0, Abatayo 0, Villaruz 0, Mendoza 0.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio