The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers gave up their opening game to the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, 81-85, on Sept. 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Built with a starting five with two rookies, Felipe Marasigan and Paul Turco on the floor with team captain Robi Naye, and key holdovers Miggy Corteza and Prince Carlos. The first six minutes of the game were relatively uneventful as they entered the four-minute mark with only an 11-4 tally. So many shots were missed by both teams, keeping the tally on hold until Migz Oczon started firing shots, along with Corteza leading the first quarter to an eight-point advantage for the Blazers, 20-12.
The LPU Pirates tried to keep up with the Blazers’ game through the efforts of their big man Shawn Umali, staying true to being NCAA Season 98’s Most Improved Player. However, Chris Flores stood out to keep the lead on the greener side as he posted two successful shots from downtown. The Taft squad was able to post a double-digit differential but the Pirates were still persistent to cut down the deficit to eight to end the first half, 45-37.
The tale of two Miguels opened the second half, 47-37. However, the next actions were mostly turnovers, which the boys of Muralla took advantage of. Pirates Vince Cunanan and Enoch Valdez shone through the thrones of the men in green and white, with Cunanan scoring an equalizer for the first time in the game in the last two minutes of the third quarter, 57-57. From there, the Blazers were not able to keep up with the feisty Pirates, giving up the quarter with a five-point deficit, 57-62.
The deciding quarter was a close match but the Blazers were not able to keep up with the Pirates anymore. Corteza led the men in green, but JM Bravo tamed the season 98 runner-ups to take down the Taft squad with a come-from-behind win for the Pirates, 81-85.
Corteza topped the scoring for Benilde after registering 21 points, five blocks, and four rebounds, followed by Nayve and scoring machines Oczon and Carlos with 13 points each.
The Blazers will be facing the JRU Heavy Bombers next with Will Gozum finally joining the team again on Sept. 29, Friday, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. The game will be available to watch live on NCAA Philippines’ Facebook and YouTube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (81) - Corteza 21, Nayve 13, Oczon 13, Carlos 13, Flores 9, Sangco 4, Jarque 4, Marcos 2, Turco 2, Marasigan 0, Davis 0, Jalalon 0, Mara 0, Cajucom 0
LPU (85) - Bravo 18, Valdez 16, Umali 14, Barba 11, Cunanan 6, Peñafiel 6, Villegas 5, Guadaña 5, Montaño 2, Omandac 2, Versoza 0, Avilles 0
