By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers rode on a huge fourth quarter separation to stave off the Mapua University Cardinals, 65-61, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday night, October 25.
Negrense Miggy Corteza led the way with 17 points, including 6-of-6 shooting from the free throw line, to go with nine rebounds, while Will Gozum added 11 markers as the Blazers moved up to a 6-4 win-loss slate.
Clinging to a slim 59-57 lead with over three minutes in the game, the Blazers pulled away from the Cardinals at 65-57 on a clock-beating triple by Mark Sangco and another outside hit from Corteza.
The Cardinals still made their last push, as a basket by Jopet Soriano and two free throws by Paolo Hernandez cut the deficit to 61-65.
Hernandez had an opportunity to cut the lead further, but he missed his next two free-throw attempts.
Clint Escamis tallied 19 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists, while Soriano and Hernandez added 14 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Cardinals dropped to an 8-2 record.
Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help System Altas got an unexpected lift from Angelo Gelsano as they took down defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 73-61.
Gelsano spearheaded the Altas’ 19-0 scoring rampage to finally taste the lead midway through the fourth quarter and later surged to a 70-59 advantage with over two minutes left via a three-pointer from Jielo Razon.
The Knights still tried to claw their way back in the game with over a minute left, but Christian Pagaran put the finishing touches on the Altas after completing a three-point play for a 73-61 count.
Gelsano tallied 10 points, all in the fourth quarter, to go with two rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist, while Cyrus Nitura finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists to lead the Altas, which improved to 4-6.
Pao Javillonar led the slumping Knights with 14 points, while Vince Deo Cuajao and Jay Garupil contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, as they dropped to a 1-9 slate.
CSB 65 — Corteza 17, Gozum 11, Oczon 8, Marcos 8, Sangco 7, Carlos 6, Arciaga 4, Marasigan 3, Jarque 1, Turco 0, Cajucom 0, Jalalon 0.
MAPUA 61 — Escamis 19, Soriano 14, Hernandez 10, Recto 8, Cuenco 4, Rosillo 2, Bonifacio 2, Igliane 2, Dalisay 0, Asuncion 0, Bancale 0, Fornis 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 37-31, 51-45, 65-61./ASC, WDJ