MANILA, Philippines–With only pride at stake, the College of St. Benilde Blazers leaned on graduating players Yankie Haruna and Clement Leutcheu to subdue the Mapua Cardinals, 68-62, on Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.
Haruna and the Senagelese Leutcheu exchanged high fives and hugged their teammates after playing their final game in the league with still 24 seconds remaining before the Blazers ended the season with an identical 9-9 record with the Cardinals.
The semifinal door shut on the Cardinals as soon as the Stags secured the win over the Altas earlier in the afternoon.
It was also the final game for CSB’s Edward Dixon and Carlo Young while forwards Denniel Aguirre and Justin Serrano won’t be seeing action anymore for the Cardinals next season.
CSB 68—Haruna 13, Leutcheu 8, Young 8, Gutang 8, Naboa 8, Flores 6, Belgica 5, Dixon 4, Mosqueda 3, Nayve 3, Lim 2, Carlos 0.
MAPUA 62—Lugo 13, Serrano 11, Aguirre 10, Bunag 9, Gonzales 7, Bonifacio 7, Victoria 3, Nocum 2, Gamboa 0, Nieles 0, Salenga 0, Jabel 0, Garcia 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 35-29, 52-44, 68-62