MANILA - The San Sebastian Stags claimed their ticket to the 85th NCAA men's basketball finals after beating the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags won the decider game in the semifinals, 79-64. Game 1 was won by the Bombers last Friday, 71-65. The Bombers' win forced a rubber match as the Stags held a twice-to-beat advantage.

The Stags will face defending three-peat champion San Beda Red Lions on Thursday at the start of their best-of-three finals at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Lions beat the Letran Knights in the other semifinal last Friday, 82-76.

Game 2 of the NCAA Finals, meantime, is set on Saturday while a decider game, if necessary, will take place next Thursday, Oct. 29.