Squires take NCAA juniors last semis slot

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan City)

12 noon – SSC-R vs UPHSD (Jrs)

2 p.m. – SBC vs Letran (Jrs)

4 p.m. – JRU vs MIT (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Letran relied on a lean but mean seven-man rotation as it subdued St. Benilde, 91-86, yesterday to clinch the last Final Four berth in the juniors’ division of the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Mark Cruz fired 25 points and finished with eight assists, four rebounds and three steals to power the Squires to their second straight do-or-die playoff victory and into the semis.

Letran, which also beat Jose Rizal in its first do-or-die duel last week, will then take on powerhouse San Beda tomorrow.

The Red Cubs, who topped the double-round elimination with a 14-2 (win-loss) slate, need just one win to advance to the best-of-three championship.

San Sebastian, which finished No. 2 at 12-4 for the other twice-to-beat incentive, takes on No. 3 Perpetual Help in the other semis pairing.

Mc Jour Luib unloaded 22 points while Aldrin Serafica and Ivan Villanueva scattered 12 apiece for the Squires.

YOG veteran Michael Pate scored 23 points he spiked with five rebounds and four assists while Thomas Torres added 14 points for the Junior Blazers.        – Joey Villar

The scores:

Letran 91 – Cruz 25, Luib 22, Serafica 12, Villanueva 12, Nambatac 9, Cudal 6, Capinding 5.

CSB 86 – Pate 23, Torres 14, Vito 12, Sta. Maria 9, Vergara 8, Trajano 7, Bonleon 6, Diaz 4, Carlos 2, Marcial 0, Pumaren 0, Sayson 0, Villaruz 0.

Quarterscores: 23-21; 42-38; 71-64; 91-86