The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers staged a fourth-quarter comeback, outlasting the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs, 94-82, to continue their four-game winning run today, Oct. 9, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The opening frame started with King Vinoya draining a three-pointer, followed by a quick 5-0 run from the Chiefs. Zenric Jarque attempted to spark the Blazers with a jump shot, but the Taft squad struggled to keep pace as Arellano stretched their lead. However, Jhomel Ancheta and SJ Moore stepped up to keep the Blazers within striking distance, allowing Matthew Jucom to knock down a three-pointer to tie the game. Benilde capitalized on trips to the line to take the lead, but Anthony Borromeo answered for the Chiefs—leaving the Blazers trailing by an inch at the end of the first quarter, 25–26.
The Blazers faced another early disadvantage in the second frame as Borromeo sustained the Chief’s onslaught, backed by Matthew Langit and Basti Valencia. The men in green and white endured an 0-8 scoring drought before Arle Podador broke through with back-to-back baskets under the rim. John Morales and Jucom eventually found their rhythm from beyond the arc, but the Chiefs maintained their advantage to close the first half at 42-48.
In the third canto, T-MC Ongotan firmly held the Chiefs’ lead before Morales answered with back-to-back layups for the Blazers. Both squads traded blows on the hardwood, answering each other’s baskets with timely jump shots and trips to the charity stripe. Ancheta and Sanchez built up Benilde’s momentum, while Moore widened the gap after sinking a three-pointer. Despite Benilde’s offensive push, the Chiefs connected from the line and kept the game close at 73–70, heading into the final canto.
The decider saw the Blazers ignite a late-game rally as Justine Sanchez fueled Benilde’s offensive surge. The Taft squad widened the gap as Moore added more firepower with a dunk, giving the Blazers a ten-point lead. Despite Ernest Geronimo’s efforts to keep the Chiefs in contention, Alaine Cajucom and Ancheta spearheaded Benilde’s closing push, refusing to surrender the advantage to the top-seeded team of the opposing group. The Blazers ultimately pulled away to secure the victory by a 12-point margin.
Sanchez was hailed as Player of the Game with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Anchets backed the Blazers with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Blazers aim to keep the momentum going as they face the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Oct. 15, 3 p.m., at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, with a live telecast on One Sports on YouTube, PilipinasLIVE on CignalPlay and NCAA NXT on Cignal TV.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (94) - Ancheta 18, Sanchez 17, Jarque 12, Moore 12, Morales 9, Torres 9, Jucom 6, Podador 6, Cajucom 5, Arciaga 0, Daja 0, Go 0, Lorenzo 0
AU (82) - Valencia 17, Ongotan 14, Vinoya 12, Buenaventura 10, Borromeo 8, Langit 8, Geronimo 4, Hernal 3, Abiera 2, Cabotaje 2, Camay 2, Flores 0, Manansala 0
Quarter Scores: 25-26, 42-48, 73-70, 94-82
