College of St. Benilde-La Salle-Greenhills crushed Arellano University, 66-52, to grab the remaining Final Four berth yesterday in the 95th NCAA juniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Holding a slim 16-13 lead after the first 10 minutes of play, the Greenies held the Braves to seven points in the second quarter to build a commanding 37-20 lead at the break.
Arellano never recovered from there, as CSB-LSGH posted the biggest lead of the game, 57-30, at the end of the third period.
Jan Manansala led the Greenies with 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Kobe Palencia chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.
CSB-LSGH will face elimination-round topnotcher San Beda in the semifinals on Nov. 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome.
It was the Greenies that handed the Red Cubs’ lone defeat this season.
Lyceum of the Philippines University, which is in the Final Four for the first time, will play San Sebastian in the other pairing.
Holding a twice-to-beat advantage, the Red Cubs and the Junior Pirates need only to win once to advance to the best-of-three Finals.
Miguel Sahali paced the Braves with 13 points, five boards and three assists, while Chris Recto produced a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Earlier, Leonel Policarpio had 22 points, 24 rebounds and four assists as deposed champion Mapua topped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-64, to wrap up it elims campaign with a 6-12 record.
The Scores:
CSB-LSGH (66)—Manansala 13, Palencia 8, Quiambao 8, Macalalag 7, Calimag 7, Valenzuela 6, Dimaunahan 5, Arguelles 4, Arciaga 4, Panlilio 2, Rivera 2, Reyes 0, Gagate 0, Estil 0, Torrijos 0.
Arellano (52)—Sahali 13, Recto 11, Templonuevo 8, Nepomuceno 7, Rellama 5, Sablaon 3, Lime 2, Tan 2, Lopez 1, Cuenco 0, Javier 0, Salinel 0, Villarante 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 37-20, 57-30, 66-52.