NCAA: Benilde averts meltdown vs Perpetual, San Sebastian ends JRU’s streak

CSB’s Robi Nayve daps up Miggy Corteza in their win vs. Perpetual Help. –NCAA Photo

MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde avoided a comeback rally at the hands of Perpetual Help as it came away with an 86-80 victory in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.

The Blazers, who improved to 3-3 in the standings, led by as much as 20 before the Altas tried to mount a rally in the payoff period–a sight that did not satisfy coach Charles Tiu.

“I was happy for the first three quarters until the fourth quarter. I don’t know what we were doing. We were up by 20 [but] the guys got careless, they thought the game was over, they couldn’t follow instructions,” said Tiu.

“We’re not going to get anywhere if we play that way.” 

Thankfully for Benilde, Robi Nayve came up big to secure the win with an all-around outing of 20 points, five rebounds and four assists. Migs Oczon, who tallied a career-high 29 points on Saturday, kept up his stellar showing with 19 markers.

Art Roque’s 24-point outing was put to waste as Perpetual Help dropped to a 1-4 card. Christian Pagaran and Marcus Nitura also had 16 and 15 points, respectively, in the loss.

San Sebastian stops JRU on its tracks

JRU’s JL Delos Santos and San Sebastian’s Mark De Leon fights for a possession. –NCAA Photo

San Sebastian, meanwhile, stunned a surging Jose Rizal University, 72-59.

The Golden Stags put an end to the Heavy Bombers’ three-game winning streak to improve to 2-3 for the season. JRU, meanwhile, skidded to 4-2.

Jessie Sumoda powered San Sebastian to the victory with 15 points while Raymart Escobido and Alex Desoyo had 12 apiece in the win.

Agem Miranda was two rebounds shy of a double-double with 15 points and eight boards but it was all for naught.