After suffering back-to-back losses, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers finally snapped their losing streak at San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags’ expense, 71-62, earlier today, April 22, at the Saint Benilde Gym in La Salle Greenhills.

With Will Gozum on deck, the Blazers started aggressively; firing back-to-back baskets in the first two minutes of the game, establishing a five-point early advantage. Despite this, the Blazers lost momentum, allowing the Stags, led by JM Calma, to secure the lead, 5-9. Hungry for a win, veteran Robi Nayve and Miguel Corteza answered back, leading the Blazers into a 7-0 run, 12-9. However, Ken Villapando unleashed a three-point basket, resulting in a 12-12 deadlock.

After several deadlocks and lead changes in the second and third quarters, Blazer Ray Carlos powered his team off the bench, burying the Stags’ six-point advantage, 41-41. Despite the continuous efforts of the Taft squad to increase the gap, the Stags managed to defend their advantage and inch closer. However, rookie Blazer Miguel Corteza was able to seal the game in another deadlock, 50-50.  

Coming from a tight third quarter, Benilde activated AJ Benson and Gozum to shift the momentum to the boys in green and white, banking an 11-point advantage. The Stags, who struggled to get a field goal in the whole seven minutes of the last quarter, fell short, ending the team’s two-game lose streak, 71-62. 

With one game remaining in the elimination round, the Blazers are set to face the spotless San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions on Tuesday, April 26, at 12 p.m. with live telecast on GTV, GMA Sports, and NCAA Philippines.

Box Scores:

DLS-CSB (71) : Gozum 18, Nayve 17, Corteza 10, Carlos 9, Benson 9, Cullar 4, Flores 3, Marcos 1, Davis 0, Lepalam 0, Mosqueda 0, Publico 0, Sangco 0

SSC-R (62) : Calma 25, Calahat 8, Villapando 6, Cosari 6, Altamirano 5, Dela Cruz 5, Desoyo 3, Abarquez 2, Shanoda 2, Are 0, Concha 0, Felebrico 0

Quarter Scores: 12-12, 26-28, 50-50, 71-62