Games on Friday
(The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. – CSB vs MIT (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. – JRU vs EAC (Jrs)
2 p.m. – CSB vs MIT (Srs)
4 p.m. – JRU vs EAC (Srs)

San Sebastian College went to Jimbo Aquino and Edward Semira at crunch time to turn back the gritty Jose Rizal University, 84-78, and secure the first twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Semira pumped in 12 points, including a key basket that turned out to be the biggest shot of the game as the Stags repelled JRU’s spirited challenge in a game marked by a bench clearing incident.

Prior to Semira’s basket, Aquino buried a tough jumper that gave them an 80-76 lead. Marvin Hayes pushed JRU to within 78-80 but Semira retaliated quickly with a gutsy drive that finally unnerved the Bombers who committed two consecutive turnovers that hastened their downfall.

Aquino boosted his bid to win the coveted MVP plum by dishing out a double-double effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“After our first loss, I told the players we’re in danger of finishing third if we don’t do something about it,” said San Sebastian Ato Agustin, referring to their 63-80 setback at the hands of the Letran Knights that spoiled their bid for a possible 18-game sweep of the eliminations.

San Sebastian, which improved its card to 16-1, could clinch the top seeding in the Final Four and arrange a showdown with No. 4 Letran if it could repeat over reigning three-peat titlist San Beda in the final game of the elimination round on October 12.

The game turned ugly and led to a bench clearing incident when San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva elbowed Jose Rizal’s Marvin Hayes late in the third period. Abueva was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul, his fifth and final foul, for pushing Hayes, who escaped a call from the referees.

In the first game, College of St. Benilde bucked a 13-day layoff and the absence of its big guns to turn back Perpetual Help University, 67-59.

The Blazers played minus the team’s No. 1 scorer Jeff Morial, Chuck Dalanon, William Johnston, and David Urra, who were sidelined due to various injuries.

Meanwhile, Letran suffered a big blow in its title bid after the other half of its 1-2 punch, wingman Rey Guevarra, tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for the rest of season.

The high-leaping Guevarra, who is playing his final year, sustained the injury after a bad fall following a collision with San Beda’s Sudan Daniel during their game last week .