25 July 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Combined efforts by the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Blazers paved the way to defeat Mapua University, 71-67, Thursday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at the latter’s gymnasium.
With the win, the Blazers improved to a 3-0 win-loss record to remain on the top spot of the team standings, along with San Beda University. On the other hand, the Cardinals remain winless after dropping to a 0-4 slate.
CSB was off to a great start with an early 8-0 run, but Mapua slowly overturned the lead with the help of Arvin Gamboa. Soon, the Cardinals led by as much as nine points, 30-21, in the second quarter.
Mapua kept a slim advantage coming into the fourth quarter, but a jumper by Jimboy Pasturan tied the game at 51-all. The Cardinals kept a 53-all dreadlock for two minutes, until a booming triple by Pasturan gave them a three-point breather in the last 6:27 minutes of the game, 56-53.
The Blazers never let go of their lead from there and kept a comfortable six-point advantage in the last minute, 66-60. Veteran player Justin Gutang then had unexpected ankle injury, but brushed it off immediately to help CSB defend their lead until the last seconds of the game.
Laurenz Victoria’s layup and a split from Adrian Nocum cut the deficit to only four points, 65-69. Noah Lugo drew a foul from Unique Naboa, but he only managed to take only two of the three charities.
Mapua fouled Edward Dixon, who then sank all his two freebies to finish the game and win it for the Blazers.
Gutang finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Paturan added 11 markers in the win, seven of which all came in the final quarter. This win is CSB’s best start since 2005.
On the other hand, Gamboa led Mapua with 14 points, while Lugo added 11 markers.
The Scores:
CSB 71 – Gutang 12, Pasturan 11, Leutcheu 11, Young 9, Dixon 8, Belgica 8, Naboa 4, Flores 4, Carlos 2, Lepalam 2, Velasco 0, Sangco 0
MAPUA 67 – Gamboa 14, Lugo 11, Victoria 9, Nocum 7, Bonifacio 6, Bunag 6, Salenga 4, Gonzales 4, Nieles 3, Hernandez 3, Serrano 0, Garcia 0, Aguirre 0, Jabel 0
Quarter scores: 13-17, 27-32, 46-49, 71-67
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