The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers outsmarted the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 83-54, on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Activate Sports Center in Mandaluyong for Pinoyliga’s Next Man cUP.

The first frame was a close game between the Blazers and the Blue Eagles. Michael Mara led the team early in the game with only one point missed from the free-throw line. But with the Taft squad’s sloppy floor defense, the blue-blooded team was able to pull away the first frame in their hands with a five-point lead, 18-23.

The second quarter was uneventful as both teams struggled to chip in points for their respective teams. The Blazers tried to steal the lead, with Joshua Cajucom starting to fire up upon entering the last two minutes of the quarter, 26-30. However, the Blue Eagles made themselves a comfortable lead of six points, ending the first half with the upper hand, 26-32.

The second half of the game was a wake-up call for the Blazers as they started pouring shots. Prince Carlos opened the quarter with a three-pointer shot, 29-32, but Ateneo’s Jac Macasaet quickly answered with another three, 29-35. As Jethro Publico returned to the court, he kickstarted their way to a comfortable cushion, 45-38. And with the rest of the team pouring in successful shots, they took the third quarter in their hands, 55-40.

The deciding quarter was quite an easy one for the Blazers. Although Markus Dimaunahan left the game early after being called with an unsportsmanlike foul, the rest of the team stepped up to pull away from the Blue Eagles. Zenric Jarque also heated up after contributing seven of his 10 total points. The game ended in favor of the Blazers with a 29-point lead, 83-54.

Carlos was hailed player of the game with 15 total points, four assists, two steals, and a block. Cajucom and Jarque also scored in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Blazers are set to play more games in the said league; the game schedule and the live stream will be available on Pinoyliga cUP’s Facebook page.

Box Scores:

DLS-CSB (83): Carlos 15, Cajucom 11, Jarque 10, Publico 9, Mara 7, Flores 7, Sumabat 4, Dimaunahan 4, Turco 4, Arciaga 4, Vanguardia 3, Marcos 3, Serrano 2, Baliquig 0, Dionela 0

ADMU (54): Daunting 15, Macasaet 13, Tanjangco 5, Ladimo 5, Luna 4, Lechoncito 3, Corral 3, Requioma 3, Flores 2, Inductivo 1

Quarter Scores: 18-23, 26-32, 55-40, 83-54