St. Benilde, Letran dispute last semis berth in NC jrs

MANILA, Philippines - St. Benilde and Letran square off today for the fourth and last Final Four berth in the juniors division of the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Junior Blazers emerged with the highest quotient after a three-way tie for fourth spot with the Letran Squires and the Jose Rizal Light Bombers.

Letran routed Jose Rizal, 87-73, in the first playoff last week.

Mark Cruz fired a game-high 25 points on a 10-of-16 shooting from the field. He also went five-for-five on the foul line and finished with six assists, four rebounds and a steal.

Mc Jour Luib had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Aldrin Serafica scattered 15 points.

San Beda topped the elimination round with a 14-2 (win-loss) slate and will play the winner of the CSB-Letran duel.

The other semis clash pits No. 2 San Sebastian (12-4) against No. 3 Perpetual Help (10-6). 

The Cubs and the Staglets will need just a victory to clinch the finals berths.