The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers fended off the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 91-78, bouncing back in the FilOil EcoOil 15th Preseason Cup, Friday, Aug. 5, at the FilOil EcoOil Center, San Juan.
Hungry for a comeback win, the Blazers asserted their offensive and defensive dominance in the first quarter after an early 8-0 run, courtesy of Miguel Corteza. The Taft squad continued to blow the lead to 11, but the Altas were able to answer back after Jielo Razon’s back-to-back three-pointers. With the lead down to five, a shot from beyond the arc by JC Cullar gave Benilde the cushion towards the next quarter, 23-17.
An early 8-2 run was initiated by the Blazers early in the second quarter after Mark Sangco’s consecutive baskets. The Taft squad continued to rain tirades from Joshua Marcos and Corteza, which extended the lead to 15. Top scorer Carlo Ferreras led the offensive end for the Atlas, while Blazer Robi Nayve started to heat up during the last minutes of the first half.
The Blazers opened the third quarter with seven quick points from Marcos, Corteza, and Fredrick Pasturan, extending the lead to 22. An 11-0 run lasted for the first five minutes of the quarter, however, team captain Razon’s three-pointer awakened the scoreless Altas which initiated a 7-0 run. Perpetual was able to trim down the lead, ending the third quarter, 69-53.
Despite being scoreless for the first three minutes of the last frame, the Blazers started to fire three-pointers initiated by Taine Davis and Nayve, who sank five out of five for the quarter. Together with the large cushion and their strong defensive end, Benilde was able to secure the win, 91-78.
Blazers guard and player of the game Nayve topped Benilde’s scoring with 26 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Corteza and Sangco chipped in 18 and 10 points, respectively.
The Benilde Blazers will face the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the same venue with a live telecast on PCCL and FilOil EcoOil Sports Facebook page.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (91) - Nayve 26, Corteza 18, Sangco 10, Marcos 7, Mosqueda 7, Pasturan 7, Davis 6, Mara 5, Cullar 3, Cajucom 2, Dimayuga 0, Jarque 0, Gozum 0, Serrano 0, Sumabat 0, Vanguardia 0.
UPHSD (78) - Ferreras 27, Nitura 16, Razon 11, Egan 9, Boral 7, Martel 6, Omega 2, Barcuma 0, Cauguiran 0, Cuevas 0, Flores 0, Nunez 0, Udugan 0.
Quarter Scores: 23-17, 53-38, 69-53, 91-78.
