The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers overpowered the Mapua University (MU) Cardinals, 90-63, to secure a semi-finals seat in the 2024 Anta AsiaBasket International Championship on July 14 at Enderun Colleges in Taguig City. 

The Blazers showcased their seamless ball movement to set up Jesse Arciaga for the first basket of the game. While both teams exhibited equal intensity, the Taft squad found their offensive rhythm early to take the lead, 21-14. 

In the second canto, the men in green and white’s excellent defense led by Roger Ondoaforced the Cardinals to take heavily contested shots. The hot shooting of the Blazers continued as Ian Torres drained back-to-back threes to pull away by 20 points. Despite calling timeouts to attempt a comeback, Mapua just could not trim the deficit at the half, 50-36. 

The Cardinals were evidently revived by the halftime break, while the Blazers’ momentum was seemingly put to a halt. The men donning red and gold capitalized on the foul-troubled Taft squad as consecutive triples by shooters Ivan Lazarte and Arjhay Pantaleon sparked a remarkable 10-2 run. Thankfully, big-man Paul Turco stepped up to end the Blazers’ scoring drought until a powerful Anton Eusebio slam dunk marked the end of Mapua’s momentum, 70-50.

In the final quarter, the Cardinals’ glimmer of hope seemed to fade with the Blazers continuing to control the game. Unfortunately, it was just too late for a comeback, as Benilde maintained their double digit lead until the final buzzer sounded, 90-63.

Ondoa was named player of the game with 9 points and 6 rebounds. 

Catch the Blazers in the semi-finals today, July 15, at the Enderun Colleges, with live coverage in the AsiaBasket Facebook and YouTube pages.