The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers outlasted the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers in a physical showdown, 76-66, improving their season record to 8-4, today, Nov. 18, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Heavy Bombers sent an early 6-0 haymaker to Taft, sparked by baskets from Yuri Duque, Shawn Argente, and Lance Benitez. Breaking the lead with a triple, Jhommel Ancheta rose to the occasion while Anton Eusebio chipped in to steady the pace of the men in green and white. However, the Shaw squad managed to find their rhythm earlier and controlled the tempo of the opening frame, 21-15.
The Blazers launched a blitz of their own in the second canto with Shawn Umali working from the inside and dismantling the defenders of the men in blue and yellow. Working from outside the arc, Tony Ynot ensured that Taft was within striking distance with a quick three-pointer and back-to-back bombardment of the basket, 35-38.
Coming out of the break, Benilde exploded with strong work from Umali who wrestled the lead along with Ynot and Raffy Celis building a 10-point advantage. However, in a quick turn of events, Umali was seen clutching his knees after a collision with Allan Laurenaria. With Umali at the sidelines, Argente and Sean Salvador cashed in with an 11-0 run swaying the score back to the Heavy Bombers’ favor. Unfazed, Taft sent Ynot with a mission and drilled a clutch triple to edge out JRU with 59-58.
John Morales opened the payoff quarter with a mid-range assault while Umali and Ancheta powered through with an inside-out pincher that ballooned the lead back to Taft’s favor. Justine Sanchez joined the fray, leaving Shaw in a cloud of dust. The Heavy Bombers fought valiantly until the end, but the Blazers took control of the court and the game with a 76-66 victory.
Umali delivered a monster outing for Benilde with a career-high 28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, and an assist.
The Blazers aim to continue their winning streak against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Nov. 21 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, with a live telecast on Heart of Asia and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (76): Umali 28, Ynot 13, Ancheta 11, Celis 7, Sanchez 6, Morales 4, Oli 3, Gaspay 2, Eusebio 2
JRU (66): Argente 14, Panapanaan 8, Laurenaria 8, Castillo 6, Garupil 6, Benitez 6, Salvador 5, Sarmiento 3, Lozano 2, Duque 2, Peñaverde 2, Herrera 2, Esguerra 2
