Stags stop Blazers; Knights seize lead

Games tomorrow (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

11:30 a.m. — San Sebastian vs PCU (Jrs/Srs)

4 p.m. — Mapua vs Jose Rizal (Srs/Jrs)

Defending champion San Sebastian leaned on Fil-Am Clark Moore’s solid game to trounce St. Benilde, 73-70, yesterday and gain a share of third in the 79th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Letran uncorked a telling third quarter run as it subdued San Beda, 76-65, to seize the solo lead with a 7-3 (win-loss) record.

The Red Lions fell to a share of No. 3 spot with the Stags and the Bombers.

Playing his best game of the season so far, the 6-foot-7 Moore scattered 16 points, including five in the fourth quarter capped by a finger roll from Nicole Uy assist in the last five seconds.

That was enough to quash the upset-bid of the Blazers and send the three-peat seeking champions back to the Magic Four.

The Blazers actually had a chance to send the game into overtime but Gilbert’ Sanidad’s three-point attempt bounced off the ring at the buzzer, snapping the team’s three-game win streak.

It also dealt a big blow to St. Benilde’s Final Four bid as the team must now sweep its remaining three games and hope that two of the teams in the top five dropped their last three games.

"We just blew it," said St. Benilde mentor Tonnichi Yturri.

San Sebastian coach Arturo Valenzona, for his part, said it was their experience that pulled them through.

"Kita mo naman hindi ko na nilabas yung mga beterano ko sa fourth quarter kasi alam kong magiging close yung laro," said Valenzona.

After seizing a 62-55 lead behind a big run bridging the third and fourth quarters, the Stags wavered a bit as Gilbert Good led a 13-6 counterattack that gave the Blazers a 68-67 lead before Moore took charge to anchor the Stags’ victory.