Greenies catch Final Four bus

LENNOX Valenzuela and College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Greenhills grab the last semifinal berth.

College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Greenhills (CSB-LSGH) clinched the last spot in the Final Four after beating Arellano University, 66-52, in their playoff match of Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) juniors basketball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Jan Manansala was the only player for the Greenies in double figures with 13 points as they arranged the semifinal duel against the No. 1 seed and twice-to-beat San Beda University.

No. 2 seed Lyceum of the Philippines will meet San Sebastian College in the other Final Four pairing.

“Honestly, I did not expect a dominant win, but I give all of the credit to my players who are very hungry,” Greenies head coach Karl Reyes said.

“I believe if this kind of performance goes on, we will have a big chance of winning against San Beda again.”

CSB-LSGH was the only team to beat the Red Cubs in the elimination round, 99-98, in overtime last 2 August.

From a 37-20 halftime lead, the Greenies extended their lead to as high as 27 points, 57-30, on Marcus Dimaculangan’s basket and never looked back.

Michael Sahali had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Chris Recto had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Braves.

In the first game, Mapua University-Malayan Science High School drubbed Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy, 73-64, to finish its NCAA campaign with a 6-12 record.

The Brigadiers ended their season with a 2-16 mark.