The CSB Blazers (seen in this file photo) are through to the FilOil semifinals. Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB) continued to display its fine form in the preseason, escaping with a slim 76-74 win over University of the Philippines (UP) to advance to the semifinals of the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup on Thursday.

The Blazers barged into the quarterfinals as the top team from Group B, with its 7-1 win-loss record. They showed that their elimination round campaign was no fluke, as they outlasted the Fighting Maroons in a see-saw battle that was not decided until the closing seconds.

Sophomore guard Unique Naboa made the biggest play of the game in crunch time, as he swatted UP's Bright Akhuetie from behind before scoring in transition for a 75-74 lead with 12 seconds left to play in the game.

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The Blazers then forced UP's main man, Paul Desiderio, to commit a turnover in the next possession, before Carlo Young pegged the final score at the free throw line. 

This is why CSB is no longer a cellar-dweller. We all know UP will go to Paul D.. So the Blazers did their all to stop him. #Filoil2018 pic.twitter.com/95Q1MqTC1o
— Normie Riego (@riegogogo) June 28, 2018

Foreign student-athlete Clement Leutcheu paced the Blazers with 16 points and seven rebounds. Yankie Haruna, who harassed Desiderio into committing the costly turnover with four seconds left, had 15 points, four rebounds, and four steals.

Naboa finished with 12 points while Justin Gutang had 11 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in another solid showing for the Blazers. 

Akhuetie had 22 points and nine rebounds for UP, while Desiderio tallied 15 markers.

The Blazers will face either defending champion San Beda University or Adamson University in the semifinals.

The scores:

ST. BENILDE 76 — Leutcheu 16, Haruna 15, Naboa 12, Gutang 11, Domingo 8, Young 8, Belgica 2, Pagulayan 2, Pasturan 2, Barnes 0, Carlos 0, Velasco 0.

UP 74 — Akhuetie 22, Desiderio 15, Manzo 10, Jaboneta 8, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 6, Ju. Gomez de Liaño 6, Murrell 3, Dario 2, Prado 2, Gozum 0, Lim 0, Tungcab 0, Vito 0.

Quarters: 18-16, 39-37, 58-54, 76-74.

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