By CARLO ANOLIN
College of St. Benilde finally quenched its thirst for a Final Four spot after hacking out an 83-78 win against San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Will Gozum led all scorers with a solid all-around performance of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists as the Blazers made their way to their first Final Four appearance since 2002.
Miggy Corteza also had 18 points to help lift CSB get an 11-4 record, completing the Final Four cast alongside defending champion Letran, Lyceum, and San Beda.
Also delivering for the Blazers were Prince Carlos and Migs Oczon with their fiery shooting from beyond the arc.
Only up by five points (77-72) with still three minutes left, Carlos fired a booming triple to keep the Stags at bay before Romel Calahat and Kenneth Villapando connived for back-to-back baskets.
Oczon then followed it up with a dagger triple at the top of the key with 1:12 left, 83-76, as Itchie Altamirano converted what turned out to be the last basket for San Sebastian, which sustained a 6-9 record.
Jessie Sumoda had the chance to make it up for the Stags but he missed two back-to-back triples which virtually sealed the deal for the Blazers even as Gozum fired blanks from the free throw line with 10.5 ticks left.
Carlos finished with 14 points built on four triples along with six rebounds while Oczon also had 10 points on top of two three-pointers to go with six rebounds and five assists.
Atamirano and Calahat paced the Stags with 11 points apiece as they grabbed four and nine rebounds, respectively.
Villapando also chalked up 10 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists while Alex Desoyo also had 10 points.
The scores:
CSB 83 ˗ Gozum 25, Corteza 18, Carlos 14, Oczon 10, Pasturan 8, Cullar 4, Lepalam 4, Nayve 0, Marcos 0, Sumabat 0, Davis 0, Lim 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 78 – Altamirano 11, Calahat 11, Villapando 10, Desoyo 10, Sumoda 7, Escobido 7, Are 5, Cosari 5, Suico 5, Una 5, Aguilar 2, Yambing 0, Shanoda 0, Concha 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 44-40, 63-57, 83-78.
