The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers fell to 4-3 after a heartbreaking collapse against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 73-75, today, Oct. 25, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
It was a back-and-forth affair to kick off the match until a dry spell afflicted both squads, 8-10. Reigning MVP Allen Liwag ended the scoring drought with a bucket to get things moving and even the slate at 10-10. However, two consecutive triples by Josiah Alcantara put the Altas ahead to end the first canto, 14-16.
Alcantara picked up where he left off, knocking down another three-pointer to get the ball rolling as Season 100 Rookie of the Year Mark Gojo Cruz continued to steer Perpetual, holding a slight lead over the Taft squad. Unfazed, Liwag stood his ground to keep Benilde within striking distance at the half, 35-39.
Ian Torres lit up from beyond the arc to open the third quarter for the men in green and white on a high note. As a tug of war ensued, a slam dunk by SJ Moore and a trey by Justine Sanchez gave the Blazers the advantage, 58-57.
Benilde rallied behind Jhomel Ancheta and Liwag’s scoring surge for an eight-point lead to build on their momentum, 70-62. Even so, team captain John Abis, Jearico Nuñez, and Cruz stayed level-headed to gain a three-point lead with an 11-2 run. However, Torres retaliated with a clutch triple for the Blazers with 2:23 left on the clock to erase the deficit, 73-73. Just when it seemed like the game was heading into overtime, a layup from Las Piñas sealed the victory for the Altas at Benilde’s expense, 73-75.
The Blazers aim to make a comeback against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates on Oct. 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with a live telecast on Heart of Asia and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (73): Liwag 21, Torres 17, Sanchez 10, Ynot 7, Gaspay 6, Ancheta 5, Celis 3, Umali 2, Moore 2
UPHSD (75): Gojo Cruz 19, Alcantara 12, Maglupay 8, Orgo 7, Sleat 7, Abis 6, Casinilio 6, Nuñez 6, Boral 2, Pizzaro 2
