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| CSB is back in the NCAA Finals. NCAA |
MANILA––It's going to be Mapua versus College of St. Benilde in the NCAA Finals.
The Blazers forced a showdown against the Cardinals for the championship after dethroning the San Beda Red Lions in style: a 79-63 blowout in their semifinal clash on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
CSB wasted no time in crippling San Beda, which dearly missed Jomel Puno due to an ankle injury, and raced to a 53-27 halftime lead, never looking back from there.
Allen Liwag led the Blazers, who will play in their second finals appearance in three years, with 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds, and one block.
Tony Ynot added 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block to help them eliminate his former team.
AJ Royo made 14 points, four rebounds, and three steals off the bench for the Red Lions.
Game 1 of the finals showdown between Mapua and CSB is set for Dec. 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Red Lions will play the Lyceum Pirates in a one-game showdown for third place on Dec. 7 also at "The Big Dome" before Game 2 of the series between the Blazers and Cardinals.
The scores:
ST. BENILDE 79 – Liwag 20, Ynot 17, Ancheta 11, Sanchez 9, Cometa 5, Turco 4, Sangco 3, Oli 3, Eusebio 3, Torres 2, Ondoa 2, Cajucom 0, Morales 0, Serrano 0, Jarque 0
SAN BEDA 63 – Royo 14, Estacio 10, Andrada 7, Sajonia 6, RC Calimag 6, Bonzalida 5, Lina 4, Payosing 4, Tagle 3, Gonzales 2, Songcuya 2, Celzo 0, Tagala 0, Jalbuena 0, Ri. Calimag 0
Quarterscores: 25-14, 53-27, 70-42, 79-63
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