This win is a big deal for us. I was glad that they played the game that we want.

San Sebastian College flirted with disaster before clobbering Arellano University, 85-82, in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

RK Ilagan and Allyn Bulanadi led the charge for the Stags, who inched closer to the Final Four with their 10th win in 17 matches.

San Beda University is safely in with a perfect 17-0 mark while Lyceum of the Philippines University and Letran are way behind with 13-4 and 11-6 win-loss marks, respectively, entering the final couple of days of the double round of eliminations.

The Stags are already assured of a playoff for the fourth spot, but would have to wait for the outcome of their match against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Mapua University’s battle with College of Saint Benilde on Friday.

The Cardinals, who also boosted their Final Four bid following an 85-81 drubbing of the Altas in the first game, are fashioning a 9-8 card and they would lock horns with the Stags in a one-game playoff should there be a tie.

“This win is a big deal for us. I was glad that they played the game that we want. I thank the players for this win that gave us a chance to be in the Final Four,” Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said.

“Just like what I said before, San Sebastian’s performance is beyond our control. All we can do is to defeat Perpetual, which we had a hard time doing.”

Warren Bonifacio delivered 15 points and seven rebounds while Laurenz Victoria had 14 markers for the Cardinals, who also drew a fine performance from Noah Lugo.

Ilagan had 20 points, six rebounds and three assists while Bulanadi put up 19 points and eight rebounds for the Stags, who continued to fight despite failing the get ample support from their backups.