The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers were handed their second loss in a row by the Mapúa University Cardinals, 65-84, falling to a 4-3 slate earlier today, April 19, at the Saint Benilde Gym in La Salle Greenhills.
Prince Carlos and Will Gozum fired up the Blazers in the first quarter as they shifted the lead to their favor, but missed free throws and turnovers plagued the Blazers from retaining the lead, ending the first quarter with a 19-19 score.
Coming into the second quarter, Benilde struggled to score due to Mapúa’s strong offense and defense, allowing the Cardinals to loosen up after a successful 0-12 run. Gozum, who finished with 13 points, sparked the Blazers at the start of the second half as he tried to turn things around with back-to-back baskets, but Mapúa’s effective offense barred Benilde from keeping up with Gozum’s consistent plays.
Failure to recuperate from clear-cut chances, difficulties with rebounding, and missed three-point attempts during the first half lasted until the final minutes of the game, disabling the Blazers to catch up to the attentive Cardinals. The opponents finished with 12 three-pointers made, while Benilde only scored a single three-pointer after Taine Davis successfully sneaked one for his team.
Benilde’s trips to the free-throw line could have been an opportunity to cut down the lead, but the triple efforts of the men in red hardly allowed the Blazers from bouncing back.
Following top scorer Gozum were Miguel Corteza who finished with 11 points and AJ Benson with 10 points. Prior to the game, both teams held a 4-2 standing in the league. Blazers now fall to a 4-3 slate while Mapúa holds a 5-2 card.
The Blazers will face the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags on Friday, April 22, with a live telecast on GTV, GMA Sports, and NCAA Philippines.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (65): Gozum 13, Corteza 11, Benson 10, Carlos, 8, Nayve 6, Davis 5, Marcos 4, Cullar 4, Lepalam 3, Flores 1, Mosqueda 0, Sangco 0, Publico 0, Lim 0
MU (84): Lacap 22, Hernandez 17, Nocum 14, Agustin 9, Gamboa 8, Pido 6, Mercado 4, Bonifacio 4, Asuncion 0, Salenga 0, Milan 0, Garcia 0, Soriano 0
Quarter Scores: 19-19, 30-39, 47-62, 65-84
