MANILA – The College of St. Benilde (CSB) and Letran will face off in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Finals after they won their semifinal games at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday.
The CSB Blazers booked the first seat in the best-of-three finals after downing the San Beda Red Lions, 62-61.
CSB survived a fourth-quarter scare from San Beda, in which the team nearly blew a double-digit lead.
Migz Oczon, who was steady from the free throw line, nailed what would be the dagger charities that helped the Blazers shut the door on the Red Lions even as James Kwekuteye missed two three-pointers that could have forced overtime in the end.
Oczon finished with 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block, while Jimboy Pasturan added 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists off the bench for CSB, which returned to the finals for the first time since 2002.
Jacob Cortez led San Beda, which missed the finals for the second straight season, with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
On the other hand, Letran joined CSB in the "Last Dance" after ousting Lyceum in their own Final 4 tie, 67-58.
Fran Yu led the Knights, who quickly recovered after the Pirates' hot start, with 11 points, three rebounds, and one assist, while King Caralipio added 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and one steal off the bench.
Enoch Valdez led Lyceum with 15 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one assist.
Game 1 of the championship series between the Blazers and the Knights, the top two teams after the elimination round, is set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday. (PNA)
