La Salle followed rival Ateneo in the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship finals after whooping a 62-61 comeback win over reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champion San Beda in their semifinal match on Saturday at the arena in San Juan City.

JV Casio scored seven of his crucial 11 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Green Archers recover from a horrendous first half.

Casio, La Salle’s top guard playing for Toyota Otis in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), went scoreless but scored the pivotal basket off a Peejay Barua steal near midcourt with 6.6 seconds left in the clock.

This win gives La Salle a second chance of getting back at Ateneo, who swept them in the UAAP finals this year.

Ateneo will defend its PCC title against La Salle in the national basketball tournament finals on Monday, December 8, at 4 p.m. held at the Araneta Coliseum after the battle for third place featuring NCAA rivals San Beda and Letran at 2 p.m.