Rookie shines as Stags complete NCAA Final Four cast

Hardly meriting a second look at the start of the season following the departure of its three superstars, San Sebastian completed its difficult climb back to the Final Four of the NCAA basketball yesterday.

Rookie CJ Perez sparkled anew with 17 points as the Stags toppled the St. Benilde Blazers, 69-62,  to finalize the semifinal cast at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Stags’ 11th win in 18 games enabled them to return to the Final Four for the fifth straight season.

The Stags finished tied with Perpetual Help for third spot.

San Sebastian and Perpetual help will dispute the No. 3 seed in a playoff on Tuesday with the winner facing the second seed in the Final Four and  the loser tangling with the top seed.   Currently 1-2 in the standings, San Beda and Letran will have a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.

Later, Arellano trounced Jose Rizal U, 63-54, for its fourth straight victory and 8-9 overall.  Tomorrow, it will face a San Beda squad gunning for the No. 1 seed.