MANILA, Philippines – College of St. Benilde showed yet again that it’s the Blazers’ team effort that’s carrying them through.
Showing this early that they’re title-ready, the CSB Blazers overpowered the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 78-51, to stay perfect in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, September 18, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Blazers, the only unbeaten team in the 10-school field, utterly dominated the Altas from start to finish to claim their fourth straight victory that kept them untouchable at the helm.
“I’m surprised we won by this much, to be honest,” said CSB coach Charles Tiu. “Every game we expect to win, but I didn’t expect we would win this big and I’m very happy with the way we played today.”
Justin Sanchez (13 points), Tony Ynot (12 points), and Gab Cometa (10 points) paced the Blazers’ balanced charge, more than making up for the struggles of main man Allen Liwag, who wound up with just 4 points and 9 boards after a solid weeklong un.
“We always tell them it’s not about you,” said Tiu. “You may have a bad game, but I want the type of team that even if you struggle, you can contribute in other ways.”
It was so one-sided that the Blazers led by as many as 29 points, 69-40, by the end of the third quarter.
Perpetual dropped to 2-2 along with San Sebastian, which fell to Jose Rizal University in the second game.
Led by Marvin Raymundo, the JRU Bombers finally snapped a three-game skid with a 90-74 triumph over the San Sebastian Stags.
Raymundo, who averaged just a little over 3 points this season, surprisingly took charge in the breakthrough win with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bombers banked on their suffocating defense as the Stags couldn’t get into their rhythm and their shock shoot-at-will and run-and-gun game going.
The Scores
First Game
CSB 78 – Sanchez 13, Ynot 12, Cometa 10, Ancheta 9, Torres 8, Eusebio 8, Serrano 7, Liwag 4, Morales 3, Sangco 2, Ondoa 2, Jarque 0, Turco 0, Oli 0, Carillo 0.
Perpetual 51 – Gojo Cruz 11, Orgo 10, Boral 9, Abis 4, Pizarro 4, J. Manuel 4, Pagaran 4, Nuñez 3, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 0, Cauguiran 0, Sevilla 0, Javier 0, Movida 0, B. Manuel 9.
Quarters: 18-10, 50-29, 69-40, 78-51.
Second Game
JRU 90 – Raymundo 21, Barrera 18, Medina 11, Argente 10, Lozano 10, Guiab 9, Mosqueda 5, Panapanaan 2, Sarmiento 2, De Leon 2, Ramos 0, Bernardo 0, Pangilinan 0, Samontanes 0, Ferrer 0.
San Sebastian 74 – Are 17, Escobido 11, Aguilar 11, Felebrico 10, Velasco 10, Maliwat 7, R. Gabat 6, L. Gabat 2, Barroga 0, Ricio 0, Pascual 0, Lintol 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 40-40, 65-59, 90-74.
– Rappler.com