The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers’ disappointing start to NCAA Season 99 stacks on after shriveling to the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions’ three-point barrage, 77-83, on Oct. 1, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The first 10 minutes of action was something that the Blazers wished they would forget, as it was all San Beda and nearly none from Benilde. The tip-off said it all, as it was initially won by the green shirts but Jacob Cortez sneaked in right away and grabbed a layup for a free 0-2 lead for the Red Lions. It was a horrible start for the Blazers, as layups were getting blocked and shot clock violations were being committed. On the Red Lions’ side of things, Cortez, Peter Alfaro, JV Gallego, and James Payosing had every chamber filled, as threes after threes were being bombed left and right, keeping the Benildean community quiet. The quarter ended with Benilde not even reaching double digits, 9-29.
The second quarter saw the Blazers trying to redeem themselves, as Will Gozum, Joshua Cajucom, and Mark Sangco, helped flip the switch and spark a scoring run. While the Taft squad played with more aggression, the Red Lions did not show signs of regression as they maintained their lead throughout the quarter. It was a better quarter for the Blazers, but a good continuity for the Red Lions. The score was 30-46 entering halftime.
The third quarter was an optimistic Blazers performance, as a rally gave the Benildean crowd something to cheer about. A couple of Sangco buckets, strong moves from Gozum, and great defense from the perimeter got the Blazers in rhythm. The men in green and white made sure the Red Lions did not answer their scoring this time, as it got them within single digits, 48-53. However, by the end of the quarter, the Red Lions stole back momentum. Cortez and Yukien Andrada kept San Beda afloat. A jaw dropping Cortez three at the buzzer to end the quarter got the Red Lions back to a double-digit lead, 55-67.
The final frame was a one-man show for the men in green and white, as Miguel Oczon was making tough shots after tough shots. While Oczon’s heroics were giving the Blazers life the whole quarter, Cortez, Payosing, and the rest of the Red Lions never stepped on the brakes as their shots were falling and even more three-pointers were swishing the net. In the dying seconds of the game, after Oczon hit a tough stop-and-pop three to bring the Blazers within five, a Robi Nayve failed lob attempt and an emergency three from Prince Carlos that missed sealed the win for the Red Lions, 77-83.
San Beda shot a ridiculous 16/36 (44.4%) from downtown, compared to Benilde’s sorry 5/26 (19.2%). Cortez hurt the Blazers with his 20 points. Meanwhile, Oczon led all Blazers with 15 points.
The Blazers look to bounce back as they face the Mapua Cardinals, on Oct. 4, Wednesday, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. The game will be available to watch live on NCAA Philippines’ Facebook and YouTube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (77) - Oczon 15, Gozum 14, Nayve 14, Corteza 12, Sangco 9, Carlos 6, Marasigan 5, Cajucom 2, Marcos 0, Mara 0, Jarque 0, Arciaga 0, Davis 0
SBU (83) - Cortez 20, Andrada 15, Payosing 13, Alfaro 9, Gonzales 7, Cuntapay 5, Puno 5, Visser 4, Gallego 3, Tagle 2, Royo 0
