The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers bowed to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, receiving their second loss in FilOil EcoOil 15th Preseason Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, San Juan.

The Blazers entered the game strong with Will Gozum anchoring his team down the stretch in the opening quarter as he fired back-to-back two-pointers, 12-9, but the Maroons responded as Recaredo Calimag, Harold Alarcon, and Cyril Gonzales took their shots in threes, stealing the lead in the first quarter, 18-21. 

The Fighting Maroons began to play better as the game went on, which put the Blazers in a difficult position. In the second quarter, the Maroons scored 30 points to pull away and take a 30-51 advantage into the halftime break.

UP then continued to exert their domination in the third quarter when they increased their lead to 58 points before the end of the match, 61-117.

Going up against his alma mater for the first time, former UP Maroon Gozum led the Blazers with 17 points to go along with two rebounds and two assists for the team. However, the Maroons improved their record to 4-0, while the Blazers dropped to 1-2 in the standings.

The Blazers will face the University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta (UPHSD) Altas on Friday, Aug. 5, at the same venue, with a live telecast on PCCL and FilOil EcoOil Sports.

Box Scores:

DLS-CSB (61) - Gozum 17, Cajucom 9, Sangco 6, Dimayuga 6, Sumabat 5, Davis 5, Mara 4, Pasturan 3, Serrano 2, Jarque 2, Vanguardia 2, Marcos 0, Nayve 0

UP (117) - Calimag 21, Galinato 16, Tamayo 14, Alarcon 14, Lucero 11, Diouf 9, Ramos 7, Fortea 6, Torculas 5, Abadiano 5, Gonzales 5, Cagulangan 4

Quarter scores: 18-21, 30-51, 44-85, 61-117