The struggles continued for the College of Saint Benilde as they were bested by Mapua University in a tight 75-71 battle in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Paolo Hernandez scored a game-high 22 points for the Cardinals, 12 of which came in the crucial fourth quarter.
Clint Escamis and Jopet Soriano added 12 points each. JC Recto then had a near double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Warren Bonifacio struggled against Benilde’s size and length, managing only six points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field. All six of his points were vital, though, as they all came in the fourth quarter, contributing to the four-point victory.
Benilde held control of the momentum for the majority of the match, even leading by as much as 11 points in the early stages of the game, 15-4 in the first quarter after a three-pointer by Cajucom.
The Cardinals made sure Benilde did not pull away too far and, by the fourth quarter, seized control of the game.
With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Blazers entered a penalty situation as their star big man, Will Gozum, committed his fifth foul.
The Cardinals took advantage of Gozum’s absence and eventually took a 72-71 lead after a clutch jumper from Hernandez with 21 seconds left.
Benilde had a chance to retake the lead in the dying seconds, but Escamis clamped up Robi Nayve to force the steal and secure the win, 75-71.
“Sabi ko nga pagkatalo namin sa JRU, pagbalik namin sa Benilde, dapat magkaroon kami ng sense of urgency, at nag-respond naman yung mga players. Kung matututo kami, sila mag 3-1 yung standing, kailangan makabangon kami kasi yung mga kalaban nga pare-parehas malakas,” said coach Randy Alcantara.
Miguel Corteza led the Blazers in scoring with 15 points, while Miguel Oczon added 14 points. Gozum had 11 points before he fouled out.
The Blazers tumbled to a 1-3 record for the season, placing them 8th in the standings. They will meet San Sebastian College-Recoletos next on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Cardinals climbed to a 3-1 record for the season, and they are set to take on Emilio Aguinaldo College on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
MU 75 – Hernandez 22, Escamis 12, Soriano 12, Recto 8, Cuenco 7, Bonifacio 6, Formis 4, Rosilio 2, Bancale 2, Igliane 0, Asuncion 0, Dalisay 0
CSB 71 – Corteza 15, Oczon 14, Gozum 11, Nayve 8, Turco 8, Cajucom 6, Carlos 4, Sangco 4, Marcos 1, Marasigan 0, Mara 0, Jarque 0
Quarterscores: 11-18, 30-38, 50-55, 75-71
