The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers survives an overtime duel against the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, 93-85, to claim their first win in the NCAA Season 99 today, Sept. 29, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Blazers are looking for redemption coming in the game, now boosted by a returning Will Gozum. A slow early start by the Taft squad resulted in an early run by the Heavy Bombers, until Paul Turco made back-to-back baskets, 4-4. But the tight defense of JRU affected the offensive plays of the Blazers, resulting in turnovers. The Blazers suddenly ignited from the three-point range courtesy of the consecutive threes from Prince Carlos, Mark Sangco, and Robi Nayve, 13-10. Miguel Corteza showed his dominance under the rim as he converted two post shots to end the quarter, 17-18.
The second quarter made a longer ball game as both teams' defense would slow down the scoring output. The Blazers committed early turnovers in the second quarter as the Heavy Bombers' full court press defense limited their ball possessions. Michael Mara opened the scoring outing for Benilde with a hook shot from the post, 19-22. The game halted early in the 2nd quarter as physicality heightens after Mara was knocked and immediately got out of the playing court. A three point shot from Carlos from the assist of Gozum resumes the offensive prowess of the Blazers. The reigning NCAA MVP then immediately executed an and-one play to maintain a good offensive outing, 27-25. Despite the outstanding offensive consistency, the Blazers still could not hold off the lead as Agem Miranda of JRU managed to hit back-to-back threes, 27-30. The Taft squad took advantage on their frontcourt as Gozum and Corteza drew fouls under the rim and took advantage of the free throw baskets to tie the game, 30-30. After a series of missed baskets, a quiet Miguel Oczon managed to hit a contested three-pointer from the assist of Gozum, 33-34. But the Heavy Bombers would immediately answer with consecutive strong drives from Marwin Dionisio and JL Delos Santos, 35-42. Another three by Carlos halts the offensive run of the Heavy Bombers, 38-42. Gozum added another mark on the stats sheet as he converted a dominant and-one play to end the quarter, 40-44.
A welcoming foul to Gozum opened the scoring series, splitting the charities, 41-44. Carlos hits another three to tie things up in the third quarter, 47-47. In an unfortunate turn of events, Chris Flores landed badly while hustling the ball causing him to be out of the game, supported by a stretcher. The Heavy Bombers resumed the game by making a 2-0 run courtesy of Miranda to widen the Gap, 47-54. Corteza immediately answers by taking the offensive load and creating his own 2-0 run, 53-56. Nayve also tallied consecutive points with his free throw charities and an isolation three, 60-60. The rookie, Zenric Jarque, also landed down a wide open three-point shot to end the third quarter, 63-63.
The fourth quarter showed a different scenario as the full court pressure by the Blazers smothering the offensive run of JRU. After a low scoring tempo, Nayve opened the scoring for the Blazers with a fastbreak lay-up, 65-67. Strong drives were successfully executed by Corteza, Gozum, and Nayve to tie things up at 71. Physicality intensifies at the fourth quarter as unnecessary contacts are being landed on the court. Foul troubles hit hard on JRU as Dionisio and Ryan Arenal were fouled out. Gozum made crucial plays nearing the end of the fourth quarter after nailing two successful free throws and a big defensive block to seal a lead, 75-73. A crucial foul was called against Oczon at the last 7 seconds of the game with the score of 75 all, fortunately the Blazers are not in a foul penalty situation. A turnover was quickly committed by the Heavy Bombers during the inbound play, but another turnover was called to the Blazers, after a 5-seconds violation in the inbound play. The Heavy Bomber missed the last shot, the fourth quarter ended at 75-all, adding another period at the end of the regulation.
The overtime period seemed to favor the Blazers. Gozum opened the period with a putback basket, 77-75. A tough floater was dropped by Oczon, followed by a putback by Sangco. With the intense physicality of the game, an altercation happened between Sangco and Delos Santos, causing the game to halt at the 2-minute mark. Delos Santos was ejected from the game and a double technical foul was given to Sangco and Theo Pabico. Sangco split the technical free throws, 84-79. Big plays were made during the crunch time of the overtime period as Gozum dished out an assist to Corteza to convert a successful three-point play 86-81. A strong driving Carlos dished out the ball to a wide open Corteza, nailing the corner three to seal a good chance for the win, 89-81. Hoping to make a fastbreak play, Corteza collided with Jonathan Medina, and another altercation happened as four blue shirts rushed to the incident. A technical foul was called for Medina, Oczon nailed the technical free throws while Corteza nailed the other two charities for the shooting foul, 92-82. Pabico tried to cut the score gap with a mid-range jumper, 92-85. But Corteza took the last play of the game and went to the free throw line, splitting his shots, 93-85. The game ended in favor of the Benilde Blazers, posing a one-win one-loss record in their standings.
Gozum was hailed as the player of the game filling up the stats sheet with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal.
Catch the Blazers as they will face the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions next on Sunday, Oct. 1, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, with live coverage in the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (93): Corteza 21, Gozum 18, Nayve 16, Carlos 12, Oczon 11, Sangco 6, Turco 4, Jarque 3, Mara 2, Cajucom 0, Marcos 0, Marasigan 0, Arciaga 0, Flores 0
JRU (85): Miranda 31, Delos Santos 8, Sarmiento 8, Pabico 8, Guiab 8, Medina 6, Argente 6, Dionisio 5, Ramos 5, De Leon 0, Arenal 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0, Mosqueda 0
