ST. BENILDE foiled Letran's three-peat aspirations with a 76-71 Game Two thriller on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to extend the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball tournament to a title decider.
Will Gozum scored the go-ahead layup with 55.4 seconds left before Migs Oczon's turnaround jumper in the final 20.2 ticks made it a two-possession game for the Blazers, 75-71.
[READ: Fran Yu thrown out of Game Two for disqualifying foul]
Game Three is on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo with the Knights suddenly looking vulnerable without Fran Yu, who was ejected on Sunday for a disqualifying foul and is not set to sit out Game Three on an automatic suspension.
The win gave the Blazers the opportunity to go for their first crown since 2000 with a team led by Sunday Salvacion.
Gozum, the newly minted MVP, balled out with his 21 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, an assist, and a steal to rise to the challenge laid out to him by coach Charles Tiu.
Miggy Corteza scored 14 of his 21 points in the Blazers' superb 30-point third quarter that enabled them to take a 64-59 lead. He also grabbed 10 boards and four dimes in Game Two.
Migs Oczon, cleared from a sprained ankle he suffered in Game One, waxed hot and drained four treys for his 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists as CSB beat the defending champion for the first time in four games.
Brent Paraiso led the Knights with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, Kurt Reyson had 11 points and four boards, and Mythical Team member King Caralipio tallied nine points and 14 rebounds in the defeat.
Louie Sangalang collected 11 points, 10 boards, and two dimes, but missed a potential game-tying undergoal stab in the final minute.
The scores:
CSB 76 - Gozum 21, Corteza 21, Oczon 15, Nayve 10, Pasturan 3, Sangco 3, Carlos 3, Cullar 0, Marcos 0, Davis 0, Lepalam 0, Flores 0, Lim 0.
LETRAN 71 - Paraiso 16, Sangalang 11, Reyson 11, Caralipio 9, Yu 6, Santos 6, Javillonar 5, Olivario 4, Ariar 3, Guarino 0, Go 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 34-45, 64-59, 76-71.
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