The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers fell short versus the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, giving up their spot for the third seed in the final four of the NCAA Season 97 earlier today, May 1, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Despite the offensive efforts by Joshua Marcos and Ladis Lepalam in the first quarter, the Red Lions’ tirades led to an 11-1 run, closing out the quarter, 7-18.
In the second quarter, a shot from beyond the arc by Jay Flores ended the Blazers’ scoring drought from the first canto. With tight defense, the Taft squad was able to initiate a 6-0 run led by Ray Carlos, cutting the deficit to three. San Beda was able to answer back after James Kwekuteye made back-to-back three-point shots. AJ Benson’s last-second bucket then closed out the first half, 20-26.
The Blazers were able to take the lead early in the third quarter with an 8-0 run led by Lepalam and Marcos. However, Red Lion Yutien Andrada’s eight points enabled San Beda to take back the lead. The Blazers went scoreless since the four-minute mark of the game, allowing the Red Lions to widen the deficit to six. With one second remaining, team captain JC Cullar made a buzzer-beater three-point basket, allowing the Blazers to cut the lead to three, 37-40.
In the fourth quarter, the Blazers’ had early offensive opportunities from Marcos and Gozum, but the Kwekuteye-led Red Lions were able to widen the lead to ten, 41-51. With two minutes left in the game, the Blazers were able to score five quick points from Robi Nayve’s shot from beyond the arc. Due to two unsportsmanlike fouls, Blazers’ Benson was ejected from the game.
Down by nine points in the last minute, Nayve sank three free throws while Gozum was able to contribute four of Benilde’s last points. The Red Lions, however, were able to secure their victory, taking away the third seed, 57-63.
The Blazers will have their last chance to qualify for the final four against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas on Wednesday, May 4, at the Filoil Flying V Centre with a live telecast on GTV, GMA Sports, and NCAA Philippines.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (57): Nayve 10, Marcos 9, Gozum 8, Lepalam 8, Carlos 6, Benson 6, Cullar 3, Lim 3, Flores 3, Sangco 1, Publico 0, Davis 0
SBU (63): Kwekuteye 17, Andrada 11, Ynot 8, Bahio 6, Penuela 5, Cuntapay 4, Sanchez 4, Amsali 4, Alfaro 3, Cortez 1, Abuda 0, Gallego 0, Jopia 0
Quarter Scores: 7-18, 20-26, 37-40, 57-63
