Despite being out of final four contention, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers ended their NCAA journey with a win, stopping the six-game winning streak of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights, 94-81, earlier today, at the FilOil Flying-V Centre.
The Blazers bounced back after being eliminated in the final four slate last October 11 against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates. The first quarter was led by the combined efforts of the Blazers with threes and capping free throws, 29-20.
During the second quarter, graduating Taft tower Clement Leutcheu led his squad with 19 points and five rebounds, ending his NCAA stint alongside Blazer Carlo Young who contributed 13 points to barrier a 10-point lead against the Letran Knights, 50-36.
In the third frame, the Taft squad maximized Letran’s meltdown as team captain Yankie Haruna charged with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three dimes. However, Letran Knight Bonbon Batiller answered with 13 markers and four rebounds but still fell short to dominate the Taft squad, 65-52.
In the fourth quarter, things got heated in the final four minutes as Blazer star Justin Gutang and Letran powerhouse Bong Quinto were razed with technical fouls. Gutang pitched in 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists, despite exiting the game with five fouls. On the other hand, Quinto pleaded with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but failed to overpower the boys in green and white, 94-81.
The Blazers close this season’s basketball campaign with a win-loss record of 10-8.
Box scores:
DLS-CSB (94): Leutcheu 19, Haruna 15, Young 13, Gutang 12, Carlos 8, Dixon 8, Naboa 6, Nayve 6, Belgica 4, Pasturan 3
CSJL (81): Quinto 22, Batiller 13, Calvo 13, Ambohot 9, Fajarito 7, Muyang 6, Agbong 3, Celis 3, Yu 3, Banez 2,
Quarter scores:
29-20, 50-36, 65-52, 94-81
Photos by Fritz Reyes
