St. Benilde Blazers’ Robi Nayve. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde blew past Arellano, 83-73, d to close in on a twice-to-beat advantage in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
The Blazers, who improved to 13-4 with a game left to get a guarantee for at least a playoff for the Final Four bonus, used a late rally to hand the Chiefs their tenth season loss.
“It’s a big win for us. I would have liked to rest my players a bit more and manage their minutes but Arellano really played well. They hit eight three-pointers so I give them credit. They played like they had nothing to lose,” coach Charles Tiu said.
The Blazers led by just one in the fourth quarter, 70-69, after the Chiefs’ attempt at a comeback from nine points down before cruising on a game-ending 13-0 run capped by a Miguel Corteza’s inside shot with exactly two minutes left in the game, 83-69.
Robi Nayve led Benilde with 17 points. Corteza scored 15 while Mark Sangco and James Pasturan chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Cade Flores finished the game with 17 markers and seven rebounds for Arellano. Axel Doromal also tallied 14 markers and four assists in a losing effort.
The Scores:
CSB 83 — Nayve 17, Corteza 15, Sangco 11, Pasturan 10, Gozum 9, Oczon 6, Cullar 5, Lepalam 4, Carlos 3, Lim 3, Marcos 0, Mara 0, Davis 0.
ARELLANO 73 — Flores 17, Doromal 14, Mantua 11, Tolentino 10, Talampas 10, Mallari 8, Ongotan 3, Oliva 0, Abastillas 0, Oftana 0, Sunga 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 45-46, 64-59, 83-73.