NCAA: CSB holds on to beat struggling Arellano

MANILA, Philippines — After a string of close losses, College of St. Benilde has finally built a winning streak.

The Blazers added misery to slumping Arellano Chiefs, 69-62, Monday as the NCAA Season 89 men’s basketball tournament resumed from a two-week break at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Swingman Mark Romero came through anew for CSB with 18 points to lead three other Blazer in double-digit scoring.

Sharp-shooting Fons Saavedra, burly two-guard Paolo Taha and flashy guard Jonathan Grey added 12 points apiece for the Blazers, who held on for their second straight win after losing five very close games in a row.

St. Benilde led by nine, 64-55, with only 2:33 left before Arellano trimmed it to three, 61-64, a minute later as the Blazers were back into a perilous situation where they blow a big lead and lose.

But not this time as CSB seemed to have learned through pain as it managed to cling on to its lead and win — dealing Arellano a similar 2-5 record.

The Chiefs, who came in as preseason favorites but have struggled, were led by Prince Caperal’s game-high 20 points. James Forrester chipped in 10 points.

The league went on a break to give way to the just concluded 27th FIBA Asia men’s Championship, where host Philippines broke through for a silver medal finish and a ticket to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.