23 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – College of St. Benilde snapped Colegio de San Juan De Letran’s six consecutive wins and took a 94-81 win over the Final Four candidate in their final elimination game in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
With the win, the Blazers improved their record to a 10-8 win-loss record. Their Final Four bid is still alive as they wait for the decision of the NCAA board regarding their inquiry on the eligibility of some of the players of fourth place University of Perpetual Help.
CSB was aggressive from the get-go and led by 14 points in the first half, 50-36 and cruised to the fourth quarter with a 13-point advantage, 65-52.
Jeo Ambohot and Bonbon Batiller knocked down back-to-back baskets to hopefully cut the deficit, but Benilde’s strong defense and shooting skills overcame their late-game rally and steal lead by as much as 11 points, 74-63.
The Blazers cruised to victory from there and never looked back.
Four Benilde players finished with double-digit scores at the end of the game.
Clement Leutcheu had 19 points, Yankie Haruna chipped in 15, Carlo Young with 13 and Justin Gutang finished with 12 markers.
On the other hand, Bong Quinto had a game-high 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while JP Calvo and Batiller had 13 points each in the losing effort.
The Scores:
BENILDE 94 — Leutcheu 19, Haruna 15, Young 13, Gutang 12, Carlos 8, Dixon 8, Naboa 6, Nayve 6, Belgica 4, Pasturan 3, Barnes 0, Pagulayan 0, Velasco 0.
LETRAN 81 — Quinto 22, Batiller 13, Calvo 13, Ambohot 9, Fajarito 7, Muyang 6, Agbong 3, Celis 3, Yu 3, Banez 2, Balagasay 0, Galvelo 0, Mandreza 0, Pambid 0.
Quarter scores: 29-20, 50-36, 65-52, 94-81.
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