The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) absorbed a loss against the Mapúa University (MU) Cardinals, 67-84, today, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.

The Blazers trailed behind as the Cardinals struck first through Yam Concepcion, MC Cuenco, and Mark Cyrus Nitura for a 7-2 start. The Taft squad quickly answered through Ian Torres and Joshua Cajucom after hitting back-to-back triples to seize a one point 8-7 lead. Cajucom kept the Blazers’ offense alive with five quick points, while Justine Sanchez added key baskets that stretched the lead to 12-7. Mapúa tried to close the gap, but Jio Gonzaga’s smart finish after a free throw helped Benilde close the opening frame, 16-15.

The second canto became a back-and-forth affair as SJ Moore put Benilde back in front 19-17, but the play was paused as Jhomel Ancheta bled from an unintentional contact with Cyrus Nitura. Mapúa kept pressing behind Bonel Sacro, Concepcion, and Cuenco, whose triple pushed the Cardinals ahead, 31-28. Zenric Jarque answered from the baseline to restore Benilde’s lead, 33-31. Andrei Igliane continued to carry Mapúa late in the period, but Torres, Moore, and Jarque delivered key responses to send the Blazers ahead into halftime, 40-39.

In the third frame, the Cardinals built separation behind Lance Nitura, MC Nitura, and Pascual as they turned a one-point deficit into a 57-48 advantage. The Blazers stayed within striking distance through Torres, Moore, and Sanchez, but Mapúa kept finding responses in the paint and at the stripe, with Pascual extending the Cardinals’ lead to 59-51.

The decider saw Mapúa pull away from Taft with Ivan Lazarte while Benilde’s offense and defense started to unravel. The Blazers struggled to convert as they tried to cut into the deficit. Torres, Liwag, Ancheta, and Cajucom attempted a 5-on-3 opportunity but lost the ball at the baseline. Benilde’s comeback attempt faltered as Mapúa sealed the match at 84-67.

The Blazers eye another comeback against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags on June 16 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, with a live telecast on PusoP.com. 

Quarter Scores: 16-15, 40-39, 51-59, 67-84