The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers late-game surge fell short in an overtime battle with the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) Knights, 71-75, today, May 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Blazers started strong with a triple from Jhomel Ancheta and Allen Liwag who initiated the offense with a no-look pass to Mowell Morales. The Taft squad built a nine-point lead early in the game, but Aaron Buensalida penetrated inside the paint along with Jimboy Estrada’s timely shots, cutting the Blazers’ lead and ending the quarter with an even slate at 19-19.
In the second canto, it was a back-and-forth affair between the two squads with Estrada finding his rhythm early in the quarter and Liwag leading the men in green and white on both sides of the court. Titing Manalili then extended the Knights’ lead at the end of the half, 40-36.
After the first half, Manalili caught fire as he led Letrán’s offense, but Liwag was determined to fend them off. Justine Sanchez’s tough shot from beyond the arc and Jio Gonzaga’s layup cut the lead into a one-possession game. Chad Gammad fired a late three to stretch the Knights’ lead at the end of the third quarter at 53-48.
In the fourth frame, the Blazers were determined to reignite their fire with Liwag and Gonzaga scoring back-to-back deuces, but Letrán held on to their lead. A much needed triple and a tough layup from Matt Jucom built a short momentum shift for Benilde and two free throws from Raffy Celis secured a tied match at 61 apiece. However, Estrada’s stepback jumper gave the lead back to the Knights, and with less than a minute remaining, Celis infiltrated Letrán’s defense and drilled the layup, forcing overtime, 63-63.
In the payoff round, Jucom scored a hefty deuce inside, giving them an early lead. Grit and determination forced aggressive plays and fouls between both teams as they almost equally gave each other shots at the line. Estrada grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, scored a layup, with Manalili going inside the paint and getting the and-1 opportunity extending the lead late. Ancheta scored a fastbreak shot and Benilde fouled, but Gammad sank both free throws for Letrán, sealing the win, 71-75.
The Blazers aim to regain momentum as they go head-to-head against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates on June 6 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, with a live telecast on PusoP.com.
Quarter Scores: 19-19, 36-40, 48-53, 63-63, 71-75
