By MARK REY MONTEJO
Will Gozum starred offensively and defensively as College of St. Benilde dumped Arellano, 74-56, for its fourth consecutive wins in the NCAA Season 99 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Gozum, who topscored with 17 points apart from grabbing 9 rebounds, led the Blazers’ onslaught in the fourth quarter that enabled them to rip the game wide apart.
They also relied on their rock-solid defense to limit the Chiefs to just 8 points in posting their 8th win in 12 starts, to draw level with Jose Rizal University.
Lyceum and Mapua are tied for the lead with similar 9-3 records.
CSB coach Charles Tiu, however, refused to be swayed by the team’s mini success, saying: “We are a bit more locked in, paying more attention to details and there’s more sense of urgency and now we have to treat every game like a play-off game if we want to make it to the final four.”
“They’re starting to figure out their roles, pero kulang pa we’re far from what we want to be,” he added.
The reigning MVP who had two blocks, got able support from Migs Oczon, who produced 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3assists and 2 steals, while Miggy Corteza aslo listed 11 points and five rebounds.
CSB’s defense in the fourth was so tights it held the Chiefs to just 3 points for over six minutes.
Lorenz Capulong’s valiant double of 18 points and 12 rebounds down the drain as the Chiefs suffered their 10th defeat in 12 games.
First game
CSB 74 – Gozum 17, Oczon 11, Corteza 11, Sangco 8, Carlos 6, Arciaga 5, Nayve 4, Cajucom 4, Mara 4, Jarque 2, Turco 2, Marcos 0, Jalalon 0, Morales 0.
Arellano 56 – Capulong 18, Mallari 11, Valencia 9, Ongotan 8, Yanes 6, Talampas 2, Geronimo 2, Villarente 0, Dayrit 0, Abastillas 0, Dela Cruz 0, Lustina 0, Camay 0, Rosalin.
Quarters: 17-16; 40-28; 56-48; 74-56.
