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NCAA: Benilde clinches Final 4 spot

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MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB) formally secured a spot in the NCAA Season 98 Final 4 on Tuesday after fending off San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 83-78, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.The Blazers got another MVP-level performance from Will Gozum, who had 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 30 minutes of playing time.This is the first time that CSB will play in the NCAA Final 4 since 2002, when Sunday Salvacion steered the Blazers to a semis appearance. They were close to ending the drought in Season 97, but faltered in the play-in tournament and missed the postseason.But the Blazers would not be denied in Season 98, where they now have an 11-4 win-loss record and are still in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4.Also securing a spot in the semis is San Beda University, which will make its 16th straight Final 4 appearance. The result of Tuesday&#x27;s game formally eliminated the Golden Stags from the playoff race.San Sebastian was still within striking distance, 80-76, with a minute and a half to play but Migz Oczon converted an off-balanced three-pointer to beat the clock with 1:12 to play, stretching the Blazers&#x27; lead to seven points, 83-76. Back-to-back misses from Romel Calahat from long range in the final 40 seconds sealed San Sebastian&#x27;s fate.Miguel Corteza added 18 points, while Ray Carlos added 14 points for the Blazers, who scored 27 points off the Golden Stags&#x27; 19 turnovers in the game. Itchie Altamirano and Calahat each had 11 points for the Golden Stags. San Sebastian played the entire second half without head coach Egay Macaraya, who was thrown out with 4.1 seconds left in the second quarter after two technical fouls for excessive complaining. <div> ARELLANO WINS</div>In the second game, Arellano University held on for an 86-81 triumph over University of Perpetual Help in a battle of also-ran squads.The Chiefs led by as much as 28 points and survived an eight-point fourth quarter to secure their seventh win against nine losses in the tournament. Darrel Menina had 25 points and seven assists for Arellano, while Cade Flores had a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double. Rey Barcuma and Carlo Ferreras each had 16 points for the Altas, which dropped to 7-10.The scores:FIRST GAME:CSB 83 -- Gozum 25, Corteza 18, Carlos 14, Oczon 10, Pasturan 8, Cullar 4, Lepalam 4, Nayve 0, Marcos 0, Sumabat 0, Davis 0, Lim 0.SAN SEBASTIAN 78 -- Altamirano 11, Calahat 11, Villapando 10, Desoyo 10, Sumoda 7, Escobido 7, Are 5, Cosari 5, Suico 5, Una 5, Aguilar 2, Yambing 0, Shanoda 0, Concha 0.Quarters: 20-21, 44-40, 63-57, 83-78.SECOND GAME: ARELLANO 86 -- Menina 25, Doromal 20, Flores 10, Abastillas 7, Talampas 6, Oftana 5, Mallari 4, Sunga 4, Oliva 3, Tolentino 2, Mantua 0, Domingo 0.PERPETUAL 81 -- Barcuma 16, Ferreras 16, Orgo 14, Razon 9, Egan 8, Boral 6, Abis 4, Omega 4, Flores 2, Cuevas 2, Roque 0, Movida 0, Nitura 0.Quarters: 22-20, 44-35, 78-53, 86-81. <div>Related video:</div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxonZfF6Cqs?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

College of St. Benilde formally secured a spot in the NCAA Season 98 Final 4 on Tuesday after fending off San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 83-78.