SAN Beda used a strong third quarter to repulse Arellano, 91-81, on Friday in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Javee Mocon led San Beda's attack with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Davon Potts had 18 points, while AC Soberano made four three-pointers on his way to 15 markers for the Red Lions.
The win forged a playoff for the top spot between the two teams at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, which actually doesn't sit well with San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.
"It's not a good ruling. I hope di na sana ganito ang ruling kasi both teams are twice-to-beat naman. But we can't do anything about it," said Jarin, whose team tied the Chiefs with a 14-4 record.
The Red Lions built a 73-57 lead in the third period, enough to withstand a late-game rally by the Chiefs.
Behind Zach Nichols, Kent Salado, and Jio Jalalon, the Chiefs slowly closed in halfway through the fourth, 81-76.
But the Red Lions held on, Benedict Adamos putting the game away with a breakaway throwdown with 16.4 ticks left.
Jalalon paced Arellano with 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Salado and Lervin Flores chipped in 13 apiece.
The scores:
San Beda 91 – Mocon 19, Potts 18, Soberano 15, Adamos 12, Bolick 7, Tongco 7, Sara 3, Noah 3, Presbitero 3, Oftana 2, Bahio 2, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0
Arellano 81 – Jalalon 14, Salado 13, Flores 13, Gumaru 11, Nicholls 10, Meca 7, Cadavis 6, Enriquez 3, Holts 2, Canete 2, Villoria 0, Aguilar 0, Zamora 0
Quarterscores: 27-24; 47-42; 75-62; 91-81.