The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers returned to the winning column after a breakthrough 84-72 win over the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs earlier today, Sept. 28, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, San Juan City.
Hungry for a comeback win, the Blazers showed their aggressive offense led by stalwarts Will Gozum and Chris Flores. However, the Chiefs would answer with baskets off Cade Flores and Axel Doromal, putting the Blazers in a tough spot. A five-point play from Ray Carlos and Miggy Corteza tied the game at 20-20 by the end of the first quarter.
The Blazers showed a promising second quarter, starting with a shot from beyond the arc by Mark Sangco. Despite being the only starter on the floor, team captain JC Cullar and the Blazers had a 16-2 run that lasted six minutes in the quarter. The Taft squad further widened the gap as Carlo Lim and Robi Nayve sank back-to-back three-pointers. Gozum and Corteza even made their presence felt with slam dunks right before the quarter ended, 52-35. Benilde scored a total of 32 points for the quarter, giving them a wide margin over the Chiefs.
Coming off the halftime break, the boys in white and green had a dry spell as they made only 15 points for the quarter. Sangco, Cullar, and Corteza scored the early points for the Blazers while the Chiefs tried to trim the lead. Arellano’s top scorer Doromal went all-in in the third quarter. Gozum and Lim chipped four points before the end of the third quarter, 67-49.
Opening the fourth, Carlos and Gozum set the early pace for the Blazers with four quick points. However, the Chiefs were able to make a run led by Doromal, Flores, and Danielle Mallari. At the three-minute mark of the last quarter, Blazer Michael Mara was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after a collision with Art Oliva. Sangco and Joshua Cajucom scored the last four points for the Blazers, sealing their win, 84-72.
Team captain Cullar was hailed player of the game with 10 points, seven assists, and two rebounds, while Gozum topped Benilde’s scoring with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists. Sangco had an incredible performance off the bench with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
The Blazers will face the host school Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the same venue, with a live telecast on NCAA Philippines’ Facebook and Youtube page.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (84) - Gozum 15, Sangco 11, Cullar 10, Lim 7, Sumabat 6, Corteza 6, Flores 6, Cajucom 6, Carlos 5, Nayve 5, Marcos 5, Pasturan 2, Mara 0, Lepalam 0, Davis 0
AU (72) - Doromal 23, Flores 15, Mallari 11, Menina 7, Oliva 5, Talampas 4, Tolentino 4, Abastillas 2, Oftana 1, Sunga 0, Punzalan 0
Quarter Scores, 20-20, 52-35, 67-49, 84-72.
