Mark Romero fired 25 points as the College of St. Benilde Blazers repulsed the San Sebastian Stags, 80-74, yesterday in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Romero drilled home five threes, including three in succession during a crucial surge late in the third that allowed the Blazers to finally gain control after falling behind by 17 points.
“I just took advantage when the flow of the game came to me,” said the 6-foot-3 Romero after the Blazers posted their eighth victory in 13 games.
Kevin Racal knocked down a pair of three-pointers from the same spot in the final 1:30 as Letran withstood Emilio Aguinaldo College, 79-70, in the other game.
Racal finished with six three-pointers and wound up with 27 points for the Knights, who won their fifth in 12 outings in a tie with the Lyceum Pirates. The Generals dropped to 3-9.
Behind the stellar performances of Jovit Dela Cruz and Bradwyn Guinto, the Stags went on a rampage early, opening a 40-33 lead on a Dela Cruz floater approaching the interval before the Blazers, who also got 19 points and 11 rebounds from Paolo Taha, began knocking their threes.
The scores:
First Game
ST. BENILDE 80—Romero 25, Taha 19, Grey 18, Ongteco 7, Sinco 5, Saavedra 4, Bartolo 2, Nayve 0, Jonson 0, Altamirano 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 74—Dela Cruz 21, Guinto 13, Perez 13, Ortuoste 9, Yong 6, Balucanag 4, Fabian 3, Santos 3, Camasura 2.
Quarters: 16-24, 33-40, 59-57, 80-74
Second Game
LETRAN 79—Racal 27, Nambatac 15, Cruz 14, Gabawan 6, Singontiko 6, Quinto 3, Saldua 3, Ruaya 3, Tambeling 2.
EAC 70—Serrano 17, Onwubere 15, Jamon 14, General 8, Tayongtong 6, Aguilar 4, Santos 4, Mejos 1, Saludo 1.
Quarters:16-21, 40-38, 54-51, 79-70