The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers lost grip against the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 76-80, in their second face-off this season, falling to a 6-4 record, today, Nov. 7, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.

The Blazers started strong with Winston Ynot hitting back-to-back triples and Shawn Umali powered inside with key baskets and free throws. The men in green and white built a nine-point lead before San Beda’s Yukien Andrada answered with a three. Zednay Etulle tried to chip away the lead, but Josh Cajucom’s late bucket steadied the Blazers to close the quarter, 21-17.

In the second canto, the momentum shifted as the Lions tightened their defense and found rhythm behind Ajganti Miller’s outside shooting. The Taft squad briefly restored control with Ynot’s triple, but the Mendiola squad quickly responded with a flurry of baskets from Miller and Andrada to erase the deficit to put San Beda on top at the end of the first half, 34-43.

Coming into the second half, the Blazers are determined to cut the eight-point deficit by the Red Lions. Ynot started the fire blazing by attacking the paint and getting the bucket for two while Justine Sanchez grabbed an offensive rebound and converted it into a three-point play. However, the Taft team wasn’t able to trim down the lead, 52-68.

In the payoff round, John Sajonia’s electrifying triples helped the Red Lions regain momentum, but the Blazers answered back as Ynot drained a three, cutting the score 76-77 with 23 seconds left. But, in the few final seconds, San Beda drew a foul in the penalty situation and Miller sank both shots at the line, sealing the Red Lions’ victory with a final score of 76-80.

The Blazers aim to secure their rhythm once more as they go head to head with the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Nov. 9, at the Mall of Asia Arena, with a live telecast on Heart of Asia and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.

Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (76): Ynot 21, Umali 16, Cajucom 9, Celis 8, Sanchez 6, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Gaspay 3, Cometa 2, Morales 2

SBU (80): Andrada 23, Sajonia 22, Miller 11, Estacio 7, Etulle 5, Gonzales 4, Reyes 4, Lina 4

Articles by Kathleen Bauto

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