The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers yielded to the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 72-82, ending their three-game winning streak in the #FilOilEcoOil15thPreseasonCup on Thursday, August 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Center, San Juan.
The Blazers got the ball rolling early with Robi Nayve and Taine Davis scoring two consecutive three-point baskets to give the squad an early 6-4 advantage, but the unbeaten Bulldogs pressed ahead and responded with three-pointers to flip the lead, 13-20. Although the Taft squad’s persistent efforts to score outside the line were futile, they managed to tone down the margin by two. After receiving a warning for delaying the match due to Zenric Jarque’s inappropriate uniform, Benilde failed to close the lead with a tie, settling for 18-20.
Will Gozum, who led the way for the Blazers in the first quarter, opened the second frame with a three-pointer to steal the lead, 21-20. The first five minutes of the second quarter was a nip-and-tuck affair for both teams until the Bulldogs began to pull away by a six-point margin, 27-33. Despite successful charity stripes, their flimsy defense allowed the Bulldogs to keep their upper hand in the game. In the last five seconds of the quarter, former Bulldog Migs Oczon stepped in for a three point shot to close the frame with 39-42.
Both teams struggled to secure baskets as they entered the second half. After a minute of going back and forth, JC Cullar hustled his way to the three-point line to awaken the atmosphere, 42-44. When the Bulldogs started firing consecutive baskets, the men in green and white turned frantic and hasty to keep pace, which only added fuel to the burning fire of the Bulldogs to end the frame with a deficit, 59-67.
In the final frame, the Bulldogs came off fiercer with their consistent scoring and defense to stir a double-digit lead, creating heavier pressure on Benilde, 62-74. After a timeout from NU, the Blazers were able to trim the lead to six after back-to-back five straight points from Mark Sangco, followed by a jump shot from a successful free throw shot from Oczon, 69-76. Sangco attempted to further slow down the lead, but NU Bulldog Nash Enriquez was just too swift for the frail defense of the Blazers, ending the match with 72-82.
Going up against his former team for the first time, Oczon came up big for the Blazers with 21 points, while Will Gozum poured 11 points and five rebounds.
The Benilde Blazers will face the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the same venue with a live telecast on PCCL and FilOil EcoOil Sports Facebook page.
DLS-CSB (62): Oczon 21, Gozum 11, Cullar 9, Sangco 9, Marcos 7, Nayve 3, Pasturan 3, Davis 3, Carlos 2, Flores 2, Serrano 2, Mara 0, Dimayuga 0.
NU (82): Enriquez 11, John 10, Padrones 10, Figueroa 8, Clemente 7, Casinillo 6, Mahinay 6, Galinato 4, Minerva 4, Palacielo 4, Tibayan 4, Malonzo 3, Manansala 2, Tulabut 2, Gulapa 0.
Quarter Scores: 18-20, 39-42, 59-67, 72-82
