The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers are still on top after a scorching win over the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 78-69, today, Oct. 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The first period was a back-and-forth battle wherein both squads came out firing. Opposing star James Kwekuteye opened the ball game for the Red Lions with a three, while the Taft squad fired a three of their own from Jimboy Pasturan. The Blazers continued with the momentum as star forward Will Gozum provided instant offense when he checked in. The quarter ended with the Blazers up by three, 17-14.
The Blazers continued to shoot early in the second period after Robi Nayve hammered one beyond the arc to widen the Taft squad's lead. Despite the hot start by the Blazers, opposing guard Gabriel Cometa kept the Red Lions within striking distance after a personal six-to-nothing run. Notwithstanding the run, shooting guard Miguel Oczon responded with a three of his own to conclude the period, 37-31.
It was a slow start for both squads in the third period, although opposing star Kwekuteye answered the call for the Red Lions after knocking down a three-pointer. The Blazers couldn’t find their mark midway through the period, as once a seven-point lead was now gone. Although, things were quick to shift towards the men in green after an and-one conversion from Ray Carlos. The Blazers maintained their lead, 51-49, to end the period.
The last frame began with a superstar showdown between Kwekuteye and Gozum, who traded baskets over one another. The Red Lions maintained their second-half pace, continuing to make shots to recapture the lead from the Taft team. Oczon, on the other hand, had other ideas after hitting three consecutive long bombs to seal the Blazers' victory. The Blazers won the game with a score of 78-69.
According to Blazers head coach Charles Tiu, after another close battle—this time with the Red Lions—it concerns him having close results every game. “We need to sustain the way we are playing. We can't afford to have too many lapses in certain stretches of the game, but, credits go to San Beda as well, they are really a great team and it was a hard game to play.”
Oczon scored 19 points, had an assist, and pulled down a rebound to earn player-of-the-game honors. Gozum, Corteza, and Nayve are the other three players that scored double digits, scoring 16, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
The Blazers will face the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Friday, Oct. 14, at the same venue, with a live telecast on NCAA Philippines’ Facebook and Youtube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (78): Oczon 19, Gozum 16, Corteza 11, Nayve 10, Carlos 5, Cullar 4, Lepalam 4, Sangco 4, Pasturan 3, Marcos 2, Cajucom 0, Flores 0
SBU (69): Kwekuteye 28, Cometa 10, Bahio 9, Ynot 8, Sanchez 5, Alfaro 3, Andrada 2, Cortez 2, Payosing 2, Cuntapay 0, Jopia 0, Visser 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-14, 37-31, 51-49, 78-69
