The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers dominated the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 100-70, extending their win streak to three games in the #FilOilEcoOil15thPreseasonCup on Tuesday, August 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Center, San Juan.
The Blazers started slow after allowing the Generals to go on a quick 7-2 run, forcing coach Charles Tiu to take an early timeout. After the short break, guard Jimboy Pasturan scored a contested three which sparked a balanced attack moving forward. With contributions from star forward Will Gozum and guard Ray Carlos, the quarter concluded with the Taft squad leading by eight, 24-16.
Early in the second quarter, following baskets from center Edson Serrano and guard Carlos, the margin grew to a 16-point edge, 31-15. Although the Generals made a valiant attempt to keep the game close, guard Ralph Robin and forward Allen Liwag cut the margin to just six, 25-31. The Blazers responded by going on an 8-0 run to close out the quarter, led by JC Cullar and forward Mark Sangco. The Blazers led 41-29 leading to the half.
The Taft squad displayed their hot shooting in the third quarter to further break free from the EAC Generals. Cullar opened the third quarter with a personal six-to-nothing run after hitting two threes, as the Blazers continued to pull away from the Generals. Pasturan and Gozum continued to pour in for the Taft squad as they scored a three-pointer each. Forward Taine Davis also joined the three-point barrage midway through the quarter. Gozum took charge to end the quarter, scoring 11 of his 17 total points. The quarter ended with the Blazers up by 19, 68-49.
The Generals were determined to make one last effort for a comeback despite being down 19 points going into the fourth quarter. However, their hopes were diminished when returning guard Miguel Oczon opened the quarter by draining three consecutive three-pointers. Alternatively, guards Joshua Cajucom and Patrick Dimayuga, along with centers Serrano and Carlos Sumabat, closed out the game in a combined effort. The game ended with the Blazers having a 30-point advantage, 100-70.
Oczon was voted player of the game after dropping 15 points, two rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in his return after suffering an injury in their first game against Adamson University.
The Benilde Blazers will face the National University (NU) Bull Dogs on Thursday, Aug. 11, at the same venue with a live telecast on PCCL and FilOil EcoOil Sports Facebook page.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (100) - Gozum 17, Oczon 15, Carlos 12, Cullar 9, Pasturan 8, Cajucom 6, Serrano 6, Dimayuga 5, Sumabat 5, Davis 3, Mara 3, Marcos 3, Sangco 3, Vanguardia 3, Flores 0.
EAC (70) - Robin 13, Liwag 12, Luciano 11, Bawola 10, Tolentino 7, Doria 4, Bacud 3, Doria 3, Gurtiza 2, Maguillano 2, Umpad 2, Cosa 1, Angeles 0, Cosejo 0, Dominguez 0, Vista 0.
Quarter Scores: 24-16, 41-29, 68-49, 100-70
