COLLEGE of St. Benilde yesterday realized a lofty goal it worked so hard for against a shell-shocked San Beda University five.
Bolstered by a fiery second half assault, the Blazers turned back the Red Lions 82-73 and gained a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Mark Sangco provided CSB a sorely needed boost and scattered a career-high 19 points, to go with 12 rebounds, and two assists, while MVP candidate Will Gozum chipped in 15 markers and 10 boards.
Miggy Corteza and Jimboy Pasturan also had 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Blazers, who scored a fitting follow-up to their 73-63 triumph over Arellano University three days ago and finished the eliminations with a 14-4 mark.
San Beda, coming off a 70-61 victory over Jose Rizal University last Saturday, dropped to 12-6 and was relegated to the fourth seed in the postseason.
A win by reigning two-time champion Letran against the Heavy Bombers today will enable the Knights to bag the top seed, while a loss will hand CSB the No. 1 spot, both armed with win-once incentives.
The top seed will face the Lions, while third-ranked Lyceum will clash with the No. 2 team.
“Right now, we’re just happy and thankful to the Lord that at least we have a twice-to-beat advantage,” Blazers coach Charles Tiu said. “It’s gonna be big because it does not matter if we beat our would-be opponent in the eliminations. It’s gonna be 0-0 in the semis and iba iyong pressure doon.
“So, I don’t know how the guys will respond but at least we worked hard to be in this position. It’s a good feeling,” he added.
CSB also tripped San Beda 78-69 in their first-round tiff last Oct. 9.
In the other game, Emilio Aguinaldo College nipped Arellano University 63-62 in overtime to end its season on a high.
JP Maguliano led the Generals with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nat Cosejo added 14 markers and 14 caroms.
Adrian Balowa also had 12 points, including a clutch three-pointer that forced OT in the last 3.8 seconds of the fourth quarter, and Ralph Baron 12 as EAC recovered from a 59-62 loss to San Sebastian College last Sunday and finished its campaign with a third win in 18 outings.
The Chiefs wound up with a 7-11 record.
The Generals fell 20-27 at the break and 35-41 entering the final 10 minutes.
Axel Doromal paced Arellano with 25 points and six rebounds, while Cade Flores and Jade Talampas combined for 24 markers.
The Blazers trailed 42-51 at the halfway mark but battled back and grabbed a 63-60 upper hand heading into the payoff period.
CSB unleashed a 11-2 blitz capped by a Corteza triple that stretched the Blazers’ difference to as much as 74-62 with 7:40 to go.
James Kwekuteye carried the fight for the Lions with 18 points and three rebounds, while JB added 18 markers and 13 boards.
Gab Cometa also got 12 points for San Beda.
