Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
2 p.m. — Letran vs San Sebastian
4 p.m. — Mapua vs EAC
Reigning z dropped 27 points as the College of Saint Benilde survived a late surge from Jose Rizal University, 84-81, for their fifth straight win in NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan yesterday.
Gozum, playing in his final year with the Blazers, shot 10-of-14 from the field and grabbed five rebounds and swatted away two enemy shots as they improved to third place with a 9-4 win-loss record.
Team captain Robi Nayve split his two free throws with 8.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for a slim 84-81 lead.
Marwin Dionisio tried to force the game into overtime with a corner triple but it was blocked by Gozum.
Blazers head coach Charles Tiu emphasized the team’s defense got the job done and the victory primed them up for its duel with Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday for the top spot.
“We locked down on defense. We might have given up 81 points but played some good half-court defense. We tried to play to our strengths a little bit more and it’s working. It wasn’t a pretty win but we’ll take a win in any way,” Tiu said.
“Happy we’ve been playing better but dug a bit of a hole for ourselves because we will be facing Lyceum on Friday incomplete,” said Tiu, referring to the suspension slapped on Mark Sangco, who got ejected after being given one technical foul and an sportsmanlike foul.
Joshua Guiab’s double-double game of 23 points and 14 rebounds wasn’t enough to lift the Bombers who slid to an 8-6 slate despite staying put in fifth place.
In the first game, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta formally eliminated Arellano University, 81-74, from Final Four contention.
Christian Pagaran led the Altas with 21 points and five rebounds as the Altas improved to a 6-7 record.
Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit said this win is something they will carry as they go into their crucial game against San Beda University on Friday.
“Anybody can be anybody they wanted on any given day. Razon and Roque might not have scored well, others will step up,” Saguiguit said.
“It’s a good win for us. It will be a good motivation for us heading into our match against San Beda.”
