De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde made its return to the championship round after extending its mastery of San Beda University, 62-61, in the NCAA Season 98 Final Four on Tuesday.
Migs Oczon led all scorers with 17 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw stripe, to pace the Blazers.
Jimboy Pasturan added 16 markers while Will Gozum contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Blazers last trooped to the Finals in 2002, where they fell to then champions San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The Blazers wasted no time in the first half, where they raced to a 12-point lead, 28-16, with three straight triples from Pasturan and Robi Nayve.
They headed into the locker room at the half leading by just three, 34-31.
It was the young guns who continued to pump life back to San Beda.
Sophomores Jacob Cortez, Justine Sanchez, and Yukien Andrada tried to keep the Red Lions in the game as they trailed by just six, 54-48, entering the payoff period.
Cortez then made a big triple to open the fourth to before his bucket against the defense of Pasturan made it a two-point game, 56-54.
Pasturan recovered, though, making a crucial basket that was followed by a Will Gozum layup that brought the Taft crew to a much-needed 60-54 cushion with 3:26 left.
James Kwekuteye hit a big shot late in the game, knocking down a triple, 60-59, but Migs Oczon proved steady with his free throws for a 62-59 lead with 13.7 ticks remaining on the clock.
Kwekuteye had two chances to tie the game but missed out on both, and Damie Cuntapay scored a putback with time running out.
Cortez scored 13 points to lead San Beda while Kwekuteye added 11 markers as the Red Lions missed the NCAA Finals for a second straight season.
It was the third win of Benilde over San Beda in Season 98, winning the first round matchup, 78-69, and taking an 82-73 win in the second round.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
