Cover Photo By Julia Basan
Cover Photo By Julia Basan.

#NCAA97: Blazers lose final four bid after crushing defeat from Altas


Despite the efforts to return to the win column, the Blazers have failed to end their 20-year Final Four drought, 64-76.


By Zen Alday | Thursday, 5 May 2022

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers concluded their NCAA men’s basketball season after surrendering to the University of Perpetual Health System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas in the play-in stage of the #NCAASeason97, 64-76, Wednesday, May 4, at the FilOil Flying V Centre, San Juan.

 

Opening the game with back-to-back triples from the UPHSD, the Blazers already struggled to find the composure to execute seamless plays and keep pace with the attentive Altas. Carlo Lim managed to slim the gap to two points after sneaking in a lay-up but the inconsistent Blazers failed to turn the tables and closed the first quarter with 14-21.

 

Both teams had to fill in roles during the do-or-die game. Benilde’s AJ Benson was suspended after being handed two unsportsmanlike fouls during the Blazers’ match against the San Beda Red Lions last Sunday, while Perpetual Help’s veteran Kim Aurin missed the game due to chickenpox.

 

Two minutes into the second quarter, Miguel Corteza set the atmosphere for the Blazers after chipping in four points, while Will Gozum, who was expected to lead the way for the Blazers, could not sneak through the Altas’ defenders. 

 

Perpetual’s momentum was brought by the crowd energizing the men in red to tighten their defense and limit the Blazers’ scoring options, 32-40, in the second quarter.

 

Following two quarters of no successful free throws and missed bench points, the Blazers finally went aggressive and opened the second half with a 5-0 run courtesy of a three-point basket by team captain JC Cullar, 37-40.

 

However, the Altas immediately recovered with a seven-to-nothing run after executing swift triangle passes to secure baskets, racing ahead to close the third quarter with a 12-point advantage, 47-59.

 

The hot-shooting Altas declined the Blazers’ comeback attempts during the final frame and shattered the squad’s dream to advance to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years.

 

Cullar led the way for the Blazers with 18 points after firing three triples, while Gozum and Jay Flores added 13 and 10 points, respectively. This is also the last NCAA Season for the graduating Blazers AJ Benson and Tsutomi Tateishi.

 

Box Scores:

DLS-CSB (64): Cullar 18, Gozum 13, Flores 10, Nayve 8, Corteza 8, Lim 4, Lepalam 2, Marcos 1, Carlos 0, Sangco 0, Publico 0, Mosqueda 0, Davis 0

 

UPHSD (76): Abis 14, Razon 13, Egan 13, Pagaran 12, Boral 11, Omega 6, Martel 4, Cuevas 2, Sevilla 1, Barcuma 0

 

Quarter Scores: 14-21, 32-40, 47-59, 64-76

 

 

Last updated: Thursday, 5 May 2022