COLLEGE of St. Benilde endured drama– tears and fears– at the same venue exactly a week ago in an ugly fracas with Jose Rizal University.
The frightening scenes were replaced by jubilation and a long-cherished triumph yesterday that eluded the Blazers the past 20 years.
Showing it wanted it more, CSB turned back a game San Sebastian College side 83-78 for its 11th win and gained a Final Four slot in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Migs Oczon boomed in a backbreaking three-pointer that pushed the Blazers’ lead to 83-76 with 1:12 to go in the fourth quarter.
Ichie Altamirano closed the gap at 78-83 with a layup in the last 1:02 but that proved to be too little, too late as the Golden Stags kissed their Final Four hopes goodbye.
Prized big man Will Gozum notched a game-high 25 points, to go with 10 rebounds, and six assists for CSB, while his teammates provided the much-needed help.
Miggy Corteza chipped in 18 markers, while Prince Carlos and Oczon combined for 24 for the Blazers, who made up for an 83-89 loss to Perpetual five days ago and rose to 11-4 for second.
San Sebastian, coming off a 65-73 defeat to Lyceum last Sunday, fell to 6-9 in a tie with the Heavy Bombers.
The Stags also lost Rhinwill Yambing due to a busted forehead early on and tactician Egay Macaraya, who was ejected late in the first half.
In the other game, also-ran Arellano held off Perpetual 86-81 for its seventh triumph.
Shane Menina dazzled with 25 points on five triples, on top of five rebounds, and seven feeds for the Chiefs, while Axel Doromal added 20 markers, four boards, and four assists.
Still nursing a sprained ankle, Cade Flores returned from a two-game absence and also had 10 points and 11 caroms as Arellano recovered from a 47-67 setback to Mapua University last Wednesday and improved to 7-9.
The Altas dropped to 7-10.
CSB last reached the Final Four in 2002 behind a team led by former pro Sunday Salvacion.
Blazers coach Charles Tiu was pleased his team realized an immediate goal this season.
“It’s great, to be honest. I’m not gonna lie. It’s one of the goals we had this season especially because I still don’t think a lot of people expected us to be in the Final Four,” Tiu said.
“For us, we don’t really mind what other people say, we just try to get better every day.
That’s why even though we won we still want to correct some things and improve,” he added.
CSB took a 44-40 cushion at the half and was still in the driver’s seat 63-57 heading into the payoff period.
Altamirano carried the fight for San Sebastian with 11 points, four caroms, and three dimes, while Romel Calahat had 11 markers and nine rebounds.
Kenneth Villapando and Alex Desoyo also got 10 points each for the Stags.
The Blazers also downed San Sebastian 100-94 when they first met last Sept. 16.
The Chiefs grabbed a 44-35 lead at the break and padded it to 78-53 entering the final 10 minutes.
Joey Barcuma paced Perpetual with 16 points and three rebounds, while Carlo Ferreras and Shawn Orgo contributed 16 and 14 markers, respectively.
Arellano edged the Altas 61-59 in their first-round duel last Sept. 16.
