SAN SEBASTIAN College survived University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 99-94, to seal the Final Four cast of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 seniors basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Allyn Bulanadi scored 15 of his season-high 44 points for the Stags, who joined defending champion San Beda Red Lions, Lyceum Pirates and Letran Knights in the semifinals.
Trailing by 11 entering the fourth period, the Altas uncorked a 14-1 run to grab a 79-77 advantage when the Stags turned to Bulanadi in the final six minutes.
Bulanadi scattered 15 points in that crucial stretch, including a three-pointer at the 1:42 mark that gave San Sebastian the needed cushion, 93-88.
The Stags finished the elimination round in fourth place with an 11-7 card to make a return trip to the semifinals after a one-year absence.
San Sebastian will face No. 3 Letran in the first step-ladder semifinals on November 5, with the winner taking on second-ranked Lyceum in another do-or-die match three days later.
The survivor of the step-ladder phase will take on four-peat seeking San Beda in the best-of-three championship starting November 12.
The Red Lions jumped straight to the Finals after sweeping all their 18 games in the double-round eliminations.
Coach Edgar Macaraya was simply glad that the Stags are back in the top 4 after a forgettable campaign last year.
“It’s been tough for the team, and we’re more than glad that we’re in the semifinals,” said Macaraya.
Edgar Charcos had 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Perpetual. He, however, missed a three-pointer in the dwindling seconds that could have tied the game at 97-97.
The Altas finished with a 5-13 record.