Led by rookie Edward Dixon and sophomore Christian Fajarito, the College of Saint Benilde Blazers ended their futility in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup with a wire-to-wire win, 71-46, over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Thursday afternoon in San Juan City.
Dixon and Fajarito scored 12 markers each while grabbing seven and six rebounds respectively to lead the Taft-based squad to their breakthrough win in the preseason tournament.
Riding from a stunning upset over the UP Fighting Maroons last week, the Generals started flat in the first frame in scoring just six markers compared to 16 for their opponents. The troika of Yankee Haruna, Louie Pasamante, and Carlo Young led the way for the Blazers.
EAC was able to cut the deficit entering halftime 24-30 behind Hamadou Laminou’s six points and six board first half outing.
“Definitely it kind of boosted our confidence here sa panalo na ito,” CSB head coach Gabby Velasco said about the win. “One of our objectives kasi in joining this league is we want to see kung ano ang dapat i-improve namin.”
The CSB lead grew to double-digits once more in outscoring their opponents 23-15 for a 53-39 lead. The Benilde lead grew further in the final frame as JJ Domingo and back-to-back triples by the returning Fons Saavedra gave the Green and White a 66-44 lead. A putback layup by Dixon and a three-point play by Eman San Juan mercifully ended the game.
“Sa first four games namin, there is so much that we had to improve on in our game, turnovers and execution, shooting percentage, and at least ngayon nakikita namin,” Velasco reflected. “Every game, like I said to the team, we have to apply whatever we learn sa tournament na ito. It’s always a learning thing for us here.”
Laminou notched a double-double for EAC with 16 markers and 12 boards. Jervin Guzman added 13 points with nine coming from downtown.
The CSB Blazers (A, 1-4) look to build on this win as they face the FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, May 29 at 11:15. On the other hand, the EAC Generals (A, 1-4) play their penultimate game on against the NU Bulldogs at 9:30am on the same day.
The Scores:
CSB (71) – Dixon 12, Fajarito 12, Pasamante 8, Haruna 8, Saavedra 8, Young 7, Domingo JJ 6, Pajarillaga 3, San Juan 3, Leutcheu 2, Domingo JS 2, Sta. Maria 0, Belgica 0, Norberte 0, Suarez 0.
EAC (46) – Laminou 16, Guzman 13, Munsayac 3, Corilla 2, King 2, Onwubere 2, Pascua 2, Diego 2, Aguas 2, Neri 2, General 0, Mendoza 0, Estacio 0, Umali 0.
Quarterscores: 16-6, 30-24, 53-39, 71-46.
