ST. BENILDE BOOKS SEMIS BERTH

COLLEGE of St. Benilde booked a spot in the Final Four as the Blazers downed the San Sebastian CollegeRecoletos Stags, 83-78, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Will Gozum led a balanced St. Benilde attack as he collected a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds with six assists in more than 30 minutes of action.

Miguel Corteza came off the bench and contributed 18 points on a 9-of-14 shooting from the field. Ray Carlos also did well as a backup shooting guard with 14 points behind a 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range.

Miguel Oczon likewise dished out an excellent all-around performance with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Blazers, who are back in the Final Four for the first time in 20 years, or since 2002 when season Most Valuable Player Sunday Salvacion led the team to the playoffs.

The win improved St. Benilde’s record to 11-4 and in the way ended San Sebastian’s own semifinals bid as it dropped to 6-9, tied Jose Rizal University and Arellano University.

San Sebastian’s loss also gave San Beda University (10-5) a free ride to the Final Four as it joined defending champion Letran (12-3), Lyceum of the Philippines University (11-5) and St. Benilde.

Itchie Altamirano and Romel Calahat led the Stags with 12 points apiece.