By CARLO ANOLIN
College of St. Benilde kept Emilio Aguinaldo College winless after hacking out a 73-61 win to regain the solo lead in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Blazers used a strong fourth quarter show to keep the Generals at bay behind the solid efforts of JC Cullar, Miguel Corteza, and Ray Carlos as the Blazers improved to 5-1 while handing EAC its first straight defeat.
Miguel Oczon, however, led St. Benilde with 14 points along with five rebounds and three assists, while Corteza chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds.
Will Gozum was a force to reckon with in the paint, tallying 11 points and 13 rebounds while Carlos and Cullar ended up with nine and eight points each.
“It’s hard to say that we’re not satisfied because a win is a win. We’re grateful for any win we can take,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu. “But yes, I still think we can do better. Hopefully, we can make more shots.
“But of course, every game naman we strive to improve whether we win or lose so hopefully we can still get better,” he added.
The match saw a nip-and-tuck affair until midway through the payoff period when Cullar and Corteza connived until the last minute mark en route to a comfortable 68-59 cushion for CSB.
Both squads actually went scoreless beginning from the 3:31 mark before the Blazers made their move to secure the victory.
It was only until 15 seconds left in the end game when Ralph Bajon ended the dry spell for EAC with a late conversion, the General’s first point since trailing 63-59 earlier.
In the second game, Jelo Razon waxed hot in the payoff period and helped lift University of Perpetual Help to 61-57 win over San Sebastian
Razon scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including two pivotal three-pointers, which enabled the Altas to regroup and take lead with plenty four minutes to play.
Perpetual was trailing most of the game but closed in on when Razon took over, beginning with his reverse layup that pulled them to within, 54-41.
The win evened Perpetual’s record to 3-3 while SSC slipped to 2-3.
The scores:
First Game
CSB 73 — Oczon 14, Corteza 12, Gozum 11, Carlos 9, Cullar 8, Pasturan 7, Nayve 6, Sangco 2, Marcos 2, Lepalam 2, Sumabat 0, Davis 0.
EAC 61 — Liwag 15, Robin 15, Maguliano 10, Cosa 4, Bajon 4, Tolentino 3, An. Doria 3, Umpad 3, Luciano 2, Cosejo 2, Balowa 0, Quinal 0, Dominguez 0.
Quarters: 24-13, 43-39, 57-52, 73-61.
Second Game
PERPETUAL 61 — Razon 14, Nitura 9, Omega 9, Flores 8, Abis 6, Martel 5, Barcuma 4, Egan 3, Roque 2, Boral 1, Ferreras 0, Cuevas 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 57 — Villapando 14, Calahat 11, Yambing 9, Sumoda 8, Desoyo 7, Altamirano 5, Suico 3, Are 0, Escobido 0, Una 0, Cosari 0, Shanoda 0.
Quarters: 18-16, 28-27, 40-45, 61-57.
