Stags rip Blazers, gain Final Four

Defending champion San Sebastian turned back St. Benilde, 70-67, yesterday behind the exploits of Christian Coronel to barge into the Final Four in a preview of a possible titular matchup in the 78th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Coronel erupted for half of his 14 points in the final period to lead the Stags to their ninth win in 11 games for a share of the lead with the Blazers, the 2000 champions.

The Stags, the hottest team to date with an amazing seven-game streak, also avenged its 72-74 defeat to St.Benilde in their first round meeting.

"Importante talaga itong panalo na ito dahil bukod sa nakapasok na kami sa Final Four, naipaghiganti din namin yung unang pagkatalo namin sa kanila," said San Sebastian coach Arturo Valenzona.

After controlling the pace in the first two quarters, the Stags suddenly went listless in an instance enabling the Blazers, sparked by Al Magpayo, to trim a 42-57 third quarter deficit to two at 67-69 in a spirited rally capped by a triple by Jan Anthony Coching with 15 seconds to go in the contest.

A steal by Coching off Roy Falcasantos gave St. Benilde a chance to tie or steal the game but Sunday Salvacion hurriedly launched a triple at the right baseline that missed the target.

Falcasantos’ foul shot on a foul by Coching with four seconds to go pegged the final count before Titus Mendoza threw away the Blazers’ final chance at forcing overtime after he lost possession in the sideline.

Earlier, Jose Rizal found an unlikely hero in Joel Villarin as it edged an undermanned Philippine Christian University, 94-91, to enhance its Final Four bid.

A key defensive gem and a three-pointer by Villarin with four seconds left in the contest were all the Bombers needed to seal their seventh win in 10 outings, pushing them up at third place alongside the Dolphins.