MANILA – College of St. Benilde Blazers dominated the third quarter, securing a decisive lead to defeat the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 72-54, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
Mark Sangco heated up in the third period, achieving a season-high of 13 points along with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, earning him Player of the Game honors.
“Nagtiwala lang po talaga ako kay coach (Charles Tiu),” Sangco said of his expanded role for the Blazers this season. “Sinasabi lang sa akin ni coach na maging aggressive ako. Kapag na-rebound ko ‘yung bola, i-push ko lang ‘yung pace.”
Waxing hot in the third period with his outside shots, Sangco, followed by connections from Miguel Oczon, transformed a slim 35-33 halftime lead into a 59-48 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
The Blazers pulled away further from the Knights in the fourth quarter, with Oczon drilling three baskets from downtown as the lead went up to as high as 18 points at 72-54.
Oczon contributed 12 points, all in the second half, to go with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Negrense Miguel Corteza dropped 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists for CSB.
“I think the difference (from the first half) is that we talked in the locker room that we need to play the Benilde brand of basketball and walang bibitaw. Everybody had a good game for us; everybody contributed to this win,” Corteza said.
‘This win is really a good sign for the team. We have struggled this season. And this season did not pan out the way we wanted to, but this win boosts our confidence, and hopefully makuha pa namin ‘yung last game namin (sa eliminations),” he added.
Kobe Monje was the lone double-digit scorer for the dethroned champion Knights with 18 points, while Jay Garupil and Vince Cuajao added eight markers each. They absorbed their 15th loss in 17 games.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates secured the remaining twice-to-beat advantage after a 98-86 victory over Arellano University Chiefs. The Pirates stayed at second place with 13-4 record./PN
