The De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers ended their NCAA Season 101 campaign with a tough 75-87 loss to the University of Perpetual Help System–DALTA (UPHSD) Altas in the battle for third, today, Dec. 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Altas struck first as Shaw Orgo buried an early three-pointer advantage in the opening minute of the game. The Blazers responded through Shawn Umali and SJ Moore, keeping pace as the quarter turned into a back-and-forth exchange in the final three minutes. Despite timely treys of Jhommel Ancheta and Anton Eusebio, Benilde finished a point behind, 19-20.
The green and white squad, still searching for the lead, leaned on Eusebio and Ancheta to stay aggressive, drawing fouls and cashing in at the line to wrestle momentum from Perpetual. Justine Sanchez capped the surge for Taft, but Emmanuel Pizzaro and Jan Pagulayan sent Benilde trailing again at the half, 40-42.
Benilde went scoreless in key stretches as Perpetual’s Patrick Sleat and John Abis widened the gap, forcing the Blazers into a chase. Eusebio tried to spark a comeback with a thunderous slam, while Matthew Oli knocked down a three to keep the rally alive, but Josiah Alcantara answered with timely baskets to steady the Altas and preserve a 67–61 lead heading into the closing minutes.
In the payoff period, the Blazers tried to tighten up on defense to halt the Altas’ run, but Mark Gojo Cruz drilled a timely triple to snuff out the rally and restore breathing room. Ultimately, the Blazers were left in the dust with a 75-87 loss to close out the season.
The Blazers clinched the fourth spot to end their #NCAASeason101 campaign with Eusebio finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and an assist, while Ancheta trailed close with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
Allen Liwag was crowned the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) despite his absence in the Blazers’ final stand in the tournament to focus on the National Team’s defense of its gold crown in the Southeast Asian Games hosted in Thailand.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (75): Eusebio 19, Ancheta 9, Galas 8, Sanchez 7, Celis 6, Gonzaga 5, Oli 5, Cometa 4, Torres 3, Daja 3, Gaspay 3, Jalalon 2, Moore 2, Umali 2.
UPHSD (87): Sleat 19, Cruz 13, Orgo 12, Casinillo 11, Abis 9, Tulabut 6, Boral 5, Alcantara 4, Pizzaro 4, Nunez 2, Pagulayan 2.
