CSB secures twice-to-beat advantage, frustrates San Beda

By NIKOLE JAVIER
College of St. Benilde slipped past San Beda, 82-73, to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Mark Sangco showed the way for the Blazers with a double-double performance of 19 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting clip apart from 12 rebounds.
Most Valuable Player race leader Will Gozum also had a double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Miggy Cortez chipped in 15 markers while Jimboy Pasturan added 13 including three triples that helped the Blazers regained consciousness in the second half.
The Blazers, who improved 14-4 in the standings heading into the semifinals, could keep the top seed if the Letran Knights yield to the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
CSB, which was down 13 early in the third quarter, 42-55, used a huge 15-2 run heading into the fourth to completely turn the tide in its favor.
Pasturan, who drilled back-to-back three-pointers to cut CSB’s deficit by five in the third frame, ignited the fire within the Blazers to snatch the momentum including a three-point lead.
Up by five in the final period, the Blazers unleashed a quick 8-0 run to extend their lead to 11 which set the pace until the final buzzer.
“It’s a great feeling obviosuly it’s the semis nothing else, back to szero but at least we have that extra game which will be for us such a huge bonus. The other guys showed composure they really found the way to lock down and defend they showed character and that’s what we’re looking for,” said CSB head coach Charles Tiu. “The challenge was really to play some better defense in the second half, we weren’t really playing defense in the first half I think we give up 51 points way too much.”
For the San Beda side, James Kwekuteye and JB Bahio finished with a similar 18-point outing while Gabriel Cometa added 12 as it settled at the fourth spot in the Final Four.
The Scores:
CSB 82 -- Sangco 19, Gozum 15, Corteza 15, Pasturan 13, Oczon 9, Carlos 5, Cullar 2, Nayve 2, Lepalam 2, Marcos 0, Davis 0.
SAN BEDA 73 -- Bahio 18, Kwekuteye 18, Cometa 12, Andrada 6, Cortez 6, Ynot 4, Alfaro 4, Cuntapay 3, Sanchez 2, Visser 0.
Quarters: 26-26, 42-51, 63-60, 82-73.