De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde turned on the clamps to stop Arellano University, 76-71, to take their second straight win of the season, NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament, Saturday at the La Salle Greenhills St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
The win spoiled the return of Arellano’s senior center and co-captain Justin Arana, who started for the Chiefs despite nursing a right knee injury.
Trailing by a single point with 1:36 left in the game, 67-68, AJ Benson and Ralph Nayve restored the advantage to the Blazers’ side.
Benson made all his three free throws to tie the game. Then Nayve drilled a top-of-the-key three to take the 73-70 lead with 55 seconds left.
“I can’t really express how happy I am. Sobrang inaantay ko lang itong moment na ‘to,” said spitfire guard Nayve, who had 19 points built on four treys in the contest. “At the start of the season, we lost our great scorers with the likes of Justin (Gutang) and Jimboy Pasturan. Coach Charles (Tiu) was looking for a guy who is willing to contribute, so they approached me. And I was so ready talaga.”
Troy Valencia had a chance to cut the deficit to one but split his free throws with 24.2 seconds left in the game. Kobe Caballero then lost the ball to JC Cullar with 19.7 seconds remaining, before Jet Publico sealed the win in transition to seal the win.
Will Gozum dominated the paint with a huge double performance of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Miggy Corteza added 10 points, four boards, and one steal.
The win pulled CSB up to 2-1, while Arellano slipped to 1-2.
Arana had a double-double clip on his return with 14 markers and 11 boards, with two assists and three blocks. Caballero chipped in 15 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
CSB will look to keep this winning streak going when they face Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-2) on April 5 at 3:00 PM. On the other hand, Arellano will attempt to arrest their skid against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (1-1) on April 6, also at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
CSB 76 — Nayve 19, Gozum 17, Corteza 10, Marcos 7, Benson 6, Publico 6, Carlos 5, Cullar 2, Lepalam 2, Flores 1, Davis 1, Tateishi 0, Sangco 0, Mosqueda 0, Lim 0.
AU 71 — Caballero 15, Arana 14, Doromal 12, Sablan 10, Steinl 9, Abastillas 4, Sta. Ana 3, Valencia 2, Oliva 2, Cruz 0, Talampas 0, Concepcion 0, Carandang 0.
Quarterscores: 14-11, 36-29, 58-54, 74-71.
