Squires forge sfinal clash with Red Cubs

MANILA—The Letran Squires survived a second straight do-or-die game yesterday, downing La Salle Green Hills St. Benilde, 91-85, to seize the last Final Four berth in the 86th NCAA Juniors basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Mark Cruz scattered 25 points on top of eight assists and three steals as the Squires arranged a semifinal showdown against the top-seeded San Beda Cubs. The defending champion Cubs will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage against the Squires, who subdued Jose Rizal U, 83-77, last Saturday in another knockout match. San Sebastian, the No. 2 seed which won four straight titles until 2008, will also have a similar edge against third-ranked Perpetual Help in the other Final Four pairing. Both Final Four matches are set Wednesday before the 4 p.m. duel between Mapua and Jose Rizal at the start of the stepladder semifinals in the seniors division.