Scorching Blazers hike streak to four games

St. Benilde’s Ray Carlos (left) drives past Perpetual’s Lean Martel. NCAA/GMA

St. Benilde stretched its winning run to four and in the process found another go-to guy in Miguel Corteza, who played the best game of his young career with the Blazers.

The Bacolod native scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds coming off the bench as the Blazers defeated the Perpetual Altas, 83-73, on Saturday in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball at La Salle Greenhills Gym.

Corteza shrugged off his career game, however, like it was no big deal.

“We just focus on the next game,” he said. “I mean it’s a good win but we have to think of the next [game]. This is only the first game that I played well.”

Later in the game, Emilio Aguinaldo had a field day in blasting Jose Rizal, 80-65, for its second win in five games. The Generals were never threatened all day in handing the Heavy Bombers their fifth defeat in as many games.

Marwin Taywan came off the bench to produce 14 points, five assists and five rebounds for the Generals, who opted to start with 5-foot-5 Charles Cadua at the point guard position. EAC missed the services of Khing Gurtiza due to injury. The JRU defeat spoiled the season-best scoring of 26 points by Jason Celis.

Trusting the system

Corteza, the 6-foot-3 transferee from La Salle, credited the system of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu for their winning streak, which put them at 4-1 behind unbeaten leaders San Beda and defending champion Letran.

“We just keep trusting the system and put the team over our personal agenda; as players we are expected to give our best and be 100 percent,” he said.

Corteza got enough help from St. Benilde starters like Filipino-American AJ Benzon, who scored 16 points with a bulk coming from behind the three-point arc.

“We just go on a ride; it was a crazy run,” said the 6-foot-5 forward. “You know basketball, it gives you ups and downs; you just have to push through it.” INQ