Final 4 within reach of Stags; Bombers score

Defending champion San Sebastian yesterday geared up for its much-awaited encounter with leader St. Benilde as it smashed Letran, 74-59, for its sixth straight win in the 78th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Nicole Uy drained three of his five three-pointers in the opening quarter where the Stags started to dictate the tempo en route to their eighth victory in 10 outings, ensuring them at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.

The Blazers clinched the first semis spot when it bashed San Beda, 85-78, a week back for their ninth win in 10 matches.

Yesterday’s victory, however, might give San Sebastain the momentum it needs to beat St. Benilde tomorrow in what could be a preview of this year’s NCAA finals.

In the other game, Jose Rizal College boosted its Final Four hopes, beating embattled host San Beda, 88-84, for its sixth win in 10 games. The Red Lions fell to 1-9.

"This is an important win for us because it did not only move us closer to the next round, it also gave us the momentum going into our game with St. Benilde on Wednesday (tomorrow)," said San Sebastian coach Arturo Valenzona in Filipino.

But what spelled victory for the Stags was their defense, aimed particularly at the prolific Letran duo of Ronjay Enrile and rookie Francisco Aldave.

Enrile and Aldave led the Knights as expected but their combined scores of 25 points came sporadically. It was not enough to keep pace with Uy, Paul Reguera, Nuranjam Alfad and neophyte Redentor Vicente, who took turns in anchoring the Stags’ relentless onslaught.

Uy scorched the hoop early after stringing up three triples before Reguera picked up the pieces to lead a second quarter run that had San Sebastian leading by 14 points, 40-26, at the break.

Playing his last season, Alfad then imposed his will in the shaded area as he team up with the outside-shooting Uy in the third quarter as Letran kept on knocking on the door.

Vicente struck with six of his 14 points early in the fourth quarter, helping the Stags build an insurmountable 68-50 lead.

The loss dealt a big blow to Letran’s Final Four bid after it absorbed its sixth loss against four wins, tying it with idle Mapua at fifth spot.