The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers booked their seat to the 2023 AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship finals after a clutch victory over the Corsa Tires at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
The Blazers struggled to put a win in their record early in the tournament after suffering three straight losses against Corsa Tires, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, and Uratex Sleep Specialists. With their stint potentially coming to an end, the Blazers went toe-to-toe against NCAA foes—the Perpetual Altas. It was a close battle between both NCAA squads throughout the game. However, the men in green and white brought home the win after star guard Miguel Oczon clutched baskets over another, lifting the Blazers over the Altas, 83-71, keeping their campaign alive and securing a seat to the quarterfinals.
Heading into the quarterfinals, the Blazers were set to face the Group B leaders, the FEU Tamaraws, who had an undefeated record of 4-0 heading into the matchup. The Blazers were the clear cut underdogs going into the game, however, that did not hinder them from appending another win to their record. It was a nip-and-tuck affair between both squads for most of the game; the Tamaraws made sure to claim the lead to close out the opening period after baskets by the trio of Patrick Sleat, Cholo Anonuevo, and Mouhammed Fatty. The close battle would replicate the results of the succeeding periods, with the Tamaraws still up front. In the end, Oczon made sure that the Taft squad would bring home the win after another clutch closeout performance. With 52 seconds left on the clock and 1.4 ticks on the shot clock, Oczon nailed a long bomb, closing the game. Oczon secured both the win for the Blazers and a trip to the semifinals after clutch conversions from the charity line, 75-69.
In the semi finals, the Blazers faced a familiar foe, going up against the piping hot and title contenders Corsa Tires. Headed by future Blazers’ Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot, Corsa Tires turned on the jets early and started firing from all corners, however, the Blazers put on a valiant effort to keep the game a close affair. It was a balanced attack by the Taft squad accumulating points from Mark Sangco, Prince Carlos, Miguel Corteza and the ever reliable duo of Oczon and Gozum. The game panned out similarly to the last two games of the Blazers, it was a physical and tight battle between both squads till the final minute of the game.
With 42 seconds left on the clock, the Taft squad were up by three, 71-68. The ball was going to Oczon’s hand to close out the game, but Blazers’ team captain Robi Nayve took matters into his own hands after clutch conversions from the free throw line and a tough finish over Corsa Tires’ import Babacar Endong, extending the Blazers’ lead to five, 73-68. Corsa Tires had another push in them after a tough layup through the middle by Ynot, cutting the Blazers lead to three, 73-70. With 20 seconds left on the clock, the Blazers’ made sure to secure the win, with Nayve driving to the middle, kicking out a pass to Felipe Marasigan, who eventually nailed a long bomb dagger to give the Blazers the win and a trip to the finals, 76-70.
The Blazers move on to the finals, where they will be facing the undefeated, Group A leader and title favorites the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The battle between the Blazers and the Blue Eagles will commence on Sunday, July 30, at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City, with live telecasts on the AsiaBasket Facebook, Youtube and Bola.Tv page.
