The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers succumbed to the Letran Knights, 75-81, in the NCAA Season 98 Men’s Basketball Finals today, Dec. 4, in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hungry to win the first game of the series, both teams aggressively looked for first baskets. Miguel Oczon started a three-point shootout which Letran quickly responded through Fran Yu. After an unsuccessful coach challenge by Coach Charles Tiu, Brent Paraiso sank another three-pointer for the Knights, answered by Will Gozum scoring his first basket from beyond the arc. Letran big man Louie Sangalang became a struggle for the Blazers as he got nine points in the quarter. Offensive efforts from Robi Nayve, Mark Sangco, and Joshua Marcos minimized the Letran lead to four, 21-25.
Miguel Corteza opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to reduce the lead to one, 24-25. Letran quickly answered with an eight-point personal run by King Caralipio, which forced Benilde to take a much-needed timeout. Nayve and Corteza led the Blazers offense with 11 points and cut the deficit to three, 40-43. With a minute remaining in the half, Gozum made a late six-point run to tie the game at 50-50. A late foul call on Yu’s three-point attempt ended the half in favor of the Muralla squad, 50-52.
The Blazers made an early five-to-nothing run in the third quarter courtesy of Sangco and Marcos, taking their first lead of the game. Gozum showed up for a highlight reel after an and-one play which hyped up the Benilde crowd. A personal five-point run by Sangco, along with baskets from Gozum, kept the Taft squad afloat at 65-58. Letran’s late run courtesy of Paraiso and Kurt Reyson cut the deficit to one before heading to the last quarter, 67-66.
The fourth quarter was a dry spell for the Blazers as they struggled to keep their lead from a 2-9 Letran run. Plagued with cramps in the dying seconds of the third quarter, top scorers Navye and Gozum were unable to contribute in the final quarter while Corteza was able to dish out four points before sitting out. Pasturan scored the last two free throws for Benilde, while the Letran Knights took the series advantage, 75-81.
Presumptive MVP Gozum scored a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards white Corteza also chipped 18 points for the Blazers. Sangco and Nayve scored 10 and nine points respectively. Oczon had three points in only two minutes of playing time due to an ankle sprain early in the first quarter.
The Benilde Blazers will face the Letran Knights for the second game of the NCAA Season 98 Finals on Dec. 11 at the same venue with a live telecast on NCAA Philiipines’ Youtube and Facebook page.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (75): Gozum 18, Corteza 18, Sangco 10, Nayve 9, Marcos 7, Pasturan 4, Oczon 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Lepalam 2, Sumabat 0, Flores 0.
CSJL (85): Sangalang 24, Caralipio 16, Reyson 13, Paraiso 9, Yu 7, Javillonar 5, Olivario 4, Santos 2, Go 1, Ariar 0, Monje 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarter Scores: 21-25, 50-52, 67-66, 75-81.
