COLLEGE of St. Benilde survived an endgame scare from University of Perpetual Help, 61-56, to formally clinch a Final Four berth in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
The Blazers led by as many as 44-24 midway in the third period, but needed some clutch plays from Justince Sanchez down the stretch to put the gritty Altas away on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Sanchez finished with a team-high 16 points including back-to-back baskets inside the final 1:47 to keep Perpetual Help at bay.
The Altas threatened at 57-53 on a perfect alley-oop play by Emman Pizzaro to Christian Pagaran.
From there, Sanchez took over to give the Blazers a 12-2 record and keep the top spot in the standings.
“Sana maging preparation namin ito (for the Final Four), lalo na ngayon yung mga susunod namin na mga laban pabigat na ng pabigat,” said Sanchez as the Blazers are set to meet skidding Letran and fellow Final Four contenders Mapua and defending champion San Beda.
Leading MVP contender Allen Liwag also had a solid game of 10 points and six rebounds for St. Benilde, which remains undefeated in five games in the second round.
Pagaran and rookie guard Mark Gojo Cruz finished with double figures of 18 points and 15, respectively, as Perpetual suffered a third straight loss and hurt its chance for a Final Four berth with its 6-9 record.
The scores
St. Benilde 61 - Sanchez 16, Liwag 10, Torres 6, Sangco 5, Oli 5, Cometa 5, Turco 5, Ynot 4, Eusebio 2, Jarque 2, Ondoa 1, Ancheta 0, Morales 0, Cajucom 0.
Perpetual Help 56 - Pagaran 18, Gojo Cruz 15, Boral 5, Manuel 5, Abis 4, Pizarro 3, Movida 2, Nuñez 2, Gelsao 2, Thompson 0, Montemayor 0.
Quarters: 20-12; 38-22; 51-34; 61-56.
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