The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers narrowly clinched a victory against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 61-56, securing a seat in the Final Four, today, Oct. 30, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Zenric Jarque began the game with an explosive layup for the Blazers, but JP Boral quickly evened the score with a long-range jumper. Defense played a pivotal role in this matchup with both teams preventing each other from scoring for the majority of the quarter. However, Mark Sangco, Ian Torres, and Justine Sanchez put the men in green and white ahead to end the first frame, 20-12. 

Gab Cometa shined in the second quarter as he excelled on both ends of the floor. On the other side, Boral and super rookie Mark Gojo Cruz’s valiant efforts to close the lead were unsuccessful as the Taft squad continued to dictate the pace of the match, 38-22. 

Christian Pagaran and Gojo Cruz anchored Perpetual, scoring nine out of their thirteen points in the third quarter. On the other side, Benilde’s assertive lead provided enough cushion for a significant advantage as they entered the final period, 51-34. 

Things quickly took a turn as the Altas, led by Pagaran, staged an impressive 17-4 run to erase Benilde’s comfortable lead, 55-51. In what became a back-and-forth exchange, Allen Liwag and Sanchez took care of business to secure their spot in the Final Four, 61-56. 

Sanchez was crowned player of the game with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.

The Blazers will face the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) Knights as they look to keep their winning streak alive on Nov. 8 at the same venue with a live telecast on Heart of Asia, and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.

Box Scores:

DLS-CSB (61): Sanchez 16, Liwag 10, Torres 6, Oli 5, Sangco 5, Cometa 5, Turco 5, Ynot 4, Eusebio 2, Jarque 2, Ondoa 1

UPHSD (56): Pagaran 18, Gojo Cruz 15, Boral 5, Manuel 5, Abis 4, Pizarro 3, Movida 2, Nunez 2, Gelsano 2