College of St. Benilde came alive in the payoff period, annihilating Mapua University, 85-72, in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Up by three, 64-61 to end the third, the Cardinals were unable to convert a field goal for the following nine minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Blazers capitalized on Mapua’s drought as they sparked an 18-2 run led by Miggy Corteza who scored 18 of his 22 markers in the second half.
“I’m very thankful, I thank the Lord for the win over Mapua today. It was a hard-fought [win]. We were about to collapse but our defense held up in the fourth quarter,” said CSB head coach Charles Tiu.
Only up by two, 42-40 to open the second half, the Cardinals stepped on the gas pedal as they sparked a 15-7 run capped by Toby Agustin’s two free throws right at the halfway mark of the third.
Benilde though was able to hang on thanks to Corteza’s timely buckets as they closed the third canto only trailing by three, 61-64.
Will Gozum paved the way scoring a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on an 8-for-15 shooting, while Corteza finished with 22 points on 56.3-percent shooting, eight boards, and a dime.
For the Cardinals, Warren Bonifacio had 21 markers, six boards, four dimes, and two steals. JJ Pido and Toby Agustin contributed 13 and 12 respectively.
Benilde improved to 8-2, while Mapua could not make it three in a row, now with 2-9.
Next up for the Blazers is Jose Rizal University (5-2) on Wednesday at 12 NN. Mapua on the other hand, will take on Emilio Aguinaldo College (1-9).
The Scores:
St. Benilde 85 — Gozum 25, Corteza 22, Cullar 8, Oczon 6, Nayve 6, Sangco 5, Carlos 5, Pasturan 2, Marcos 2, Lepalam 2, Flores 2, Davis 0.
Mapua 72 –– Bonifacio 21, Pido 13, Agustin 12, Hernandez 10, Nocum 6, Cuenco 5, Soriano 3, Salenga 2, Mercado 0, Lacap 0, Garcia 0, Parinas 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 40-42, 61-64, 85-72.
