Tensions were high in the Filoil Ecooil Centre as the College of Saint Benilde survived a career game from Agem Miranda and came away with the 93-85 victory against season hosts Jose Rizal University in a heated overtime thriller in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday.
At the 7:39 mark of the third quarter, Benilde’s Chris Flores was stretchered off the court with a leg injury after making contact with Marwin Dionisio on his jumper attempt.
The Blazers struggled to contain JRU’s Miranda, who hit the jumper that tied the game at 75-75 with 1:20 left to bring the game into overtime.
The match got more heated in overtime as JL Delos Santos was ejected for his second unsportsmanlike foul, along with a double technical whistled on Sangco and Theo Pabico. The scuffle swung the momentum Benilde’s way as they outscored the frustrated Heavy Bombers 18-10 in overtime to earn the win.
Members of the JRU team reportedly refused to shake hands with Benilde and their staff after the win.
“When we play JRU it’s always a really physical game. They’re a really good team. Miranda was obviously good. It gets chippy in the end it’s basketball,” said coach Charles Tiu.
Five players scored in double digits for Benilde with Miguel Corteza leading the way, scoring 21 points on an efficient 63.6-percent shooting. In his return to the Benilde lineup, reigning Most Valuable Player Will Gozum dropped a double-double of 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
Robi Nayve and Miguel Oczon added 16 points and 12 points respectively, while Mark Sangco had himself his own double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.
Next up on their schedule is San Beda University on Sunday, 2:40 p.m. October 1, 2023 at the Filoil Ecooil Centre
Today’s matchup was the first game played between the Blazers and the Heavy Bombers since their infamous brawl in season 98–a 71-51 blowout in favor of Benilde that was halted early as JRU’s John Amores attacked Benilde’s bench, landing punches on Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis.
Miranda had a career-high 31 points and 6 rebounds for the JRU squad. No other Heavy Bomber scored double-digits for their squad.
The Heavy Bombers fell to 1-1 to start Season 99.
JRU will have their hands full against Mapua University next also on Sunday, 12:20 p.m at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
The Scores:
CSB 93- Corteza 21, Gozum 18, Nayve 16, Carlos 12, Oczon 11, Sangco 6, Turco 4, Jarque 3, Mara 2, Cajucom 0, Marcos 0, Marasigan 0, Arciaga 0, Flores 0
JRU 85- Miranda 31, delos Santos 8, Sarmiento 8, Pabico 8, Guiab 8, Medina 6, Argente 6, Dionisio 5, Ramos 5, de Leon 0, Arenal 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0, Mosqueda 0
Quarterscores: 17-18, 40-44, 63-63, 75-75, 93-85
