The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers struggled to contain the Mapua University (MU) Cardinals, 67-78, as they fell short of a trip back to the finals on Nov. 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Blazers came out blazing after an early 9-0 run to open the ball game. Despite the hot start, the Cardinals,led by Rookie of the Year and MVP front runner Clint Escamis and Jopet Soriano respectively, made sure Mapua remained close in the game after a series of jumpers from beyond the arch. In what was a highly contested opening period, the Taft squad would edge out the Cardinals by four points after consecutive trips to the line to end the period, 18-14. 

Determined to turn things to their favor, the Cardinals went on a run of their own to even things out in the early minutes of the second period, 18-18. The Blazers struggled to hit their shots midway through the period, although Miguel Oczon ended the offensive drought after a corner three to reclaim the lead, 23-21. The latter part of the period saw a shoot out between Benilde forward Miguel Corteza and Mapua shooting guard Paolo Hernandez—who knocked down threes over another. The Blazers still claimed an advantage, as the period ended with the men in green and white still up, 37-34.

A grudge match between both squads highlighted the third canto. Oczon steered the Taft squad’s offense while it was a collective effort between Escamis and Warren Bonifacio to direct Mapua’s attack. The period was competitive and close throughout, as both squads displayed their spit-fire offenses and feisty defense. The Cardinals snatched the lead from the Blazers to end the period, 55-56.

The final period rained from deep courtesy of the Cardinals, after long bomb conversions from Escamis and Hernandez, 58-64. With their backs against the wall, the Blazers showed championship poise after evening things up thanks to the back court duo of Oczon and Prince Carlos, who nailed three pointers consecutively, 64-64. Despite the fight back, the Blazers collapsed late in the game and surrendered to the Cardinals, 67-78.

Hernandez led the Cardinals with 22 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Meanwhile, it was Oczon who headed the Taft squad after dropping 17 points, 6 rebounds and an assist. 

The Benilde Blazers bow out of championship contention and would compete in a battle for third place. The Taft squad will face the losing team of the matchup between the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates and the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions. 

Box Scores: 

DLS-CSB (67): Oczon 17, Corteza 14, Carlos 10, Gozum 9, Sangco 5, Mara 5, Turco 3, Arciaga 2, Marcos 2, Nayve 0, Cajucom 0, Marasigan 0, Davis 0

MU (78): Hernandez 22, Escamis 21, Cuenco 10, Bonifacio 9, Soriano 6, Rosillo 4, Asuncion 3, Recto 3, Dalisay 0, Fornis 0, Igliane 0