NCAA: Benilde gains Final Four after escaping Perpetual Help

College of St. Benilde’s Justin Sanchez after the Blazers’ win over the Perpetual Help Altas.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Sanchez delivered two clutch baskets as College of St. Benilde weathered Perpetual Help’s fightback, 61-56, to formalize its entry into the Final Four of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

In control most of the time, the Blazers saw their double-digit advantage whittle down in the closing minutes before

Sanchez saved the day with a turnaround floater down the middle followed by an assertive drive that stopped the rampaging Altas on their tracks.

READ: NCAA: Benilde nears Final Four, clips EAC behind Allen Liwag

Cementing their spots in the semifinal, the Blazers (11-2) are now concerned on securing the top two spots to seal a twice-to-beat edge.

“We expect our remaining games to become harder as we try to seek that twice to beat. But we’ll be ready,” said Sanchez after finishing with a team-high 16 points.

Allen Liwag added 10 points and six rebounds in staving off the Altas, who reduced the deficit to 57-53 inside two minutes on a Christian Pagaran alley-oop off an Emman Pizarro lob.

Sanchez then took it upon himself, eluding a defender off the dribble and spun in the middle for a floater that again bumped up the Blazers’ advantage.

Showing off his wares, the spindly 6-foot-4 forward struck once more from the center and drove to the teeth of the Perpetual defense for an eight-point CSB lead.

READ: NCAA-leading Benilde too much for hapless JRU

Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz hit a three from the corner and Gab Cometa lost the leather at the sideline in the next sequence, giving the Altas hope.

Pagaran’s long triple failed to hit its mark and the Blazers sealed the win by milking the clock.

Pagaran fired 18 points and Gojo Cruz had 15 for Altas, who fell to 6-9 with a semifinal appearance fast slipping away from their reach.

The scores:

ST. BENILDE 61 – Sanchez 16, Liwag 10, Torres 6, Sangco 5, Oli 5, Cometa 5, Turco 5, Ynot 4, Eusebio 2, Jarque 2, Ondoa 1, Ancheta 0, Morales 0, Cajucom 0

PERPETUAL HELP 56 – Pagaran 18, Gojo Cruz 15, Boral 5, Manuel 5, Abis 4, Pizarro 3, Movida 2, Nuñez 2, Gelsao 2, Thompson 0, Montemayor 0

Quarterscores: 20-12, 38-22, 51-34, 61-56