2008-09-18 11:42:10 - MANILA. Mapua relied on the hot hands of Allan Mangahas to oust San Sebastian College, 63-54, and clinch the last semifinals berth in the 84th NCAA seniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Using their deadly slow-break game, the Cardinals limited the Stags to 1-of-14 shooting from the field in the third canto, which lifted them to their fourth semifinals appearance in the last five years.

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For the third straight year, the fourth-ranked Mapua will face defending champion and twice-to-beat San Beda College, the elimination round topnotcher,

in the Final Four.

Mapua erased a 25-26 halftime deficit when Mangahas waxed hot to erect a 49-28 spread entering the final period.

Despite calling two timeouts, the Stags could only convert a jumper at the 6:33 mark, courtesy of Froilan Saquillo.

Back-to-back triples by Mangahas ignited the 16-0 salvo by the Cardinals which capped their domination in the third canto.

San Sebastian threatened in the final quarter with Raymond Maconocido's trey, 53-56, but the Recto-based squad could only score a single point in the last 1:17.

Neil Pascual scored 17 points and 18 rebounds while Mangahas added 15 points, six boards and four assists for Mapua.

In the second senior game, Jose Rizal University earned the second twice-to-beat incentive via 69-53 win over Letran Knights, last year's finalist.

With their victory, the JRU Heavy Bombers will have a chance to clinch finals slot on Friday's double-header which also features Red Lions-Cardinals tiff.

In the juniors stepladder semis, Letran Squires will face three-time San Sebastian Staglets anew in the finals after edging Jose Rizal Light Bombers, 94-93.