Bombers stave off Stags, enter semis

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal overcame a furious fightback by San Sebastian in the fourth quarter as it eked out an 82-77 victory yesterday to clinch a Final Four berth in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.

The Bombers will clinch a spot in the Final Four for even if they end up in a three-way tie with Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde at third and fourth places with 12-6 (win-loss) slates because of a higher quotient tiebreak.

It marked the first time that the Kalentong-based dribblers will make it to the Final Four since making it that far three years ago.

"It's nice to be back in the Final Four, the players wanted it," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

But Jose Rizal nearly blew it though after seeing a once-mighty 60-37 lead in the third quarter vanish.

The Stags woke up after their coach Topex Robinson was tossed out in the third canto and launched a series of torrid runs that saw them inching closer to 79-76 with less than a minute to go.

The Bombers then held the Stags to just a point the rest of the way while Philip Paniamogan sank the free throws that sealed the deal.

Paniamogan ended up with a game-high 24 points including 10 from the foul line.

"He's one of the leaders of this team and he showed it especially in the crucial part of the game," said Meneses of Paniamogan.

The Stags fell to 5-13.

The scores

Jose Rizal 82- Paniamogan 24, Benavides 13, Mabulac 13, Teodoro 10, Asuncion 10, Abdul Wahab 6, Sanchez 3, Grospe 3, Astilla 0, Lasquety 0, Balagtas 0

San Sebastian 77- Ortuoste 22, Camasura 13, Perez 13, Guinto 9, Dela Cruz 7, Balucanag 7, Yong 4, Aquino 2, Calisaan 0, Fabian 0, Santos 0

Quarterscores: 22-11; 37-32; 69-55; 82-77