College of St. Benilde shook off De La Salle University’s second-half rally, winning 88-76, in the SBP Invitational Games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.
Mainstays Migs Oczon and Miggy Corteza led the early onslaught as the Blazers cruised to a huge 33-16 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.
But through the efforts of EJ Gollena, Penny Estacio, and Raven Cortez, the Green Archers battled back to within five with 1:03 left in the third period.
However, Oczon, Corteza, and Will Gozum connived anew to open the final frame on a 12-4 blast to restore a 16-point Benilde lead with six minutes to go, 79-63.
Oczon shot lights out, going 6-of-9 from downtown to end up with a game-high 29 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
Corteza and Zenrick Jarque contributed 17 points apiece while Gozum played his first game with the Blazers since announcing his return for a final year, finishing with six points in 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Green Archers were without top guns Kevin Quiambao, Evan Nelle, Mike Phillips, and Mark Nonoy among others.
Leading the way for La Salle was Gollena with 19 points, while Vhoris Marasigan made 16 points on 5-of-6 clop from the field. Cortez added 15 points and six rebounds.
The Invitational Games were organized as a test run for the upcoming World Cup to be held here in the country as well as in Japan and Indonesia.
All four games, two at the Pasay venue and two at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, feature UAAP teams going against NCAA squads.
The Scores:
Benilde 88 – Oczon 29, Corteza 17, Jarque 17, Carlos 8, Gozum 6, Marasigan 3, Turco 2, Mara 2, Arciaga 2, Jalalon 2, Sangco 0, Cajucom 0.
La Salle 76 – Gollena 19, Marasigan 16, Cortez 15, Phillips 9, Estacio 6, Agunanne 5, Gaspay 4, Buensalida 2, Jucom 0, Reyes 0, Alian 0, San Agustin 0.
Quarterscores: 33-16, 51-36, 67-59, 88-76.
