Games Thursday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — San Beda vs Letran (Jrs)
4 p.m. — San Beda vs San Sebastian (Srs)

As Jimbo Aquino returned from a one-game suspension, so did San Sebastian College’s menacing form.

With the sweet-shooting Aquino back in the fold providing the needed leadership and confidence, the Stags crushed the Jose Rizal University Bombers, 79-64, and cruised into the 85th NCAA basketball finals last Monday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Stags led as big as 21 points in the first quarter then fended off a third quarter JRU rally before playing it smart in the fourth to earn the right to face the defending three-peat champion San Beda in a best-of-three finals starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Lions secured the first championship berth by ousting Letran, 82-76, in their own Final Four meeting.

Calvin Abueva led San Sebastian’s cause with 18 points on top of six rebounds but it was Aquino’s 14 points and five rebounds on top of two assists that lifted the Stags to the win.

A small but formidable unit led by Aquino, Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual did the trick for the Stags as they combined for 31 points in the first half where they outscored the Bombers in the first quarter, 29-8.

So hot were the Stags that the Bombers had only the luxury of taking a 2-0 lead after John Lopez scored the first basket.

“We’re happy that we’re already in the finals. Proud na proud ako sa kanila. Despite our team is composed mainly of rookies, we were able to get there,” said SSC coach Ato Agustin, who steered the team to its first finals appearance in six years.

Without Aquino last Friday, the Stags, who were carrying a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, seemed out of sync and fell prey to the Bombers, 72-65, which forced yesterday’s rubber match.

But with his return, the Stags were like a house of fire.

“When Jimbo was not with us last time, para kaming kulang, wala kaming go-to-guy. Wala kaming leader. Sabi ko nga isa lang magwawatak-watak yung team,” Agustin said of Aquino, who was suspended because of a punching foul.

“But with his return bumalik din yung confidence nila and tumaas yung spirit nila.”

The Bombers threatened to turn the table for only when they trimmed the lead to just eight, 38-36 on a Nchotu Njei lay up with 6:34 left in the third quarter.

But with Aquino, playing his final year, and rookie forward Abueva at the forefront, the Stags quelled the uprising by detonating a 16-6 bomb to close the third sitting on a commanding 64-44 lead.

SAN SEBASTIAN 79 — Abueva 18, Aquino 14, Najorda 9, Del Rio 8, Sangalang 8, Pascual 8, Bulawan 7, Raymundo 5, Gatchalian 2, Semira 0, Maconocido 0.
JOSE RIZAL 64 — Sena 13, Agas 9, Cagoco 8, Wilson 8, Hayes 8, Njei 4, Lopez 4, Etame 4, Bulangis 2, Kabigting 2, Apinan 2, Gabriel 0.
Quarters: 29-8, 44-28, 64-44, 79-64.