Blazers Overpower Undermanned Cardinals #NCAA90
By Jamil Buergo
October 6, 2014
College of Saint Benilde Blazers moved a win closer to force a playoff for the last Final Four slot by beating Mapua cardinals, 87-76, at the Season 90 NCAA basketball tournament on Monday at The Arena in San Juan.
The win enabled the Blazers to be still in contention for the Final Four. “We’re still alive. But the job is not yet done” says CSB coach Gabby Velasco, referring to their must-win game on Wednesday against Letran. In order for Benilde to get into the Final Four, they must win on Wednesday and face idle Perpetual Help for the last Final Four slot.
The Cardinals, whose last game came exactly 2 weeks ago, were forced to forfeit their last 2 games as they could not meet the minimum five players required. Today, they showed up with only seven players because of injuries and suspensions as a result of their fight-marred game against EAC.
Jonathan Grey led the Blazers with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in only 18 minutes of action. Luis Sinco again sparked the Blazer’s offense in the 3rd quarter scoring all of his 11 points including two straight 3 pointers. Paolo Taha had 18 points.
Exeqiel Biteng and Justin Serrano led the charge for the Cardinals as they had 23 and 17 point respectively.
The scores:
CSB 87 – Grey 19, Taha 18, Saavedra 13, Sinco 11, Romero 6, Bartolo 6, Ongteco 4, Jonson 2, Nayve 2, Argamino 2, Flores 2, Altamirano 2, Pajarillaga 0, Mercado 0, Deles 0.
MIT 76 – Biteng 23, Serrano 17, Canaynay 12, Saitanan 11, Eriobu 8, Estrella 3, Cantos 2.
Quarterscores: 15-9; 37-33; 66-52; 87-76.
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