University of St. Benilde Blazers celebrate after defeating the San Beda Red Lions in Round 4 of the NCAA Season 98 Finals to reach the finals for the first time in two decades. NCAA photo
MANILA, Philippines — Top seed College of St. Benilde earned his first finalist spot after knocking out San Beda, 62-61, in the NCAA Season 98 Men’s Basketball Finals Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
The Blazers made it to the finals for the first time since 2002 while the Red Lions will miss out on the championship round for a second straight season.
“This is important for us because the driving force is ours right now. Hopefully it will continue as we face whoever enters the other side,” said CSB star Will Gozum.
Benilde will face the remaining semi-final winners Letran and No. 3 Lyceum in a best-of-three finals series.
After trailing by 13 points, San Beda pulled in the first round, 60-59, following James Kwekuteye’s treble.
Migs Oczon made a couple of clutch free throws to help the Blazers buffer 62-59 with 12.7 ticks before Kwekuteye misfired a few cracks from deep.
Oczon, who also made an important save against JB Bahio with less than a minute left in the game, finished with 17 points and six rebounds.
Jimboy Pasturan added 16 points for the Blazers while Gozum scored another double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Kwekuteye just missed a brace with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Jacob Cortez took the lead on San Beda’s score with 13 points in a losing effort.
Scores:
CSB 62 — Oczon 17, Pasturan 16, Gozum 10, Nayve 8, Corteza 7, Sangco 4, Cullar 0, Carlos 0, Marcos 0, Lepalam 0, Lim 0.
SAN BEDA 61 — Cortez 13, Kwekuteye 11, Bahio 9, Sanchez 8, Ynot 6, Cuntapay 4, Andrada 3, Cometa 3, Alfaro 2, Visser 2, Payosing 0.
Rounds: 19-14, 34-31, 54-48, 62-61.
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