MANILA – College of St. Benilde Blazers moved up to solo first place in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball following a 73-64 triumph over Mapua University Cardinals on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Silay City, Negros Occidental-native Miggy Corteza led the way with 17 points to go with four rebounds as the Blazers regained the solo No.1 spot in the standings with 6-1 win-loss slate.
Migs Oczon chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals while Ladis Lepalam contributed 10 points and five rebounds for the Blazers, which has recorded its second three game winning streak this season.
Corteza said that their win over the Cardinals helped prepare the squad for their last two matches against the San Beda University Red Lions and Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
“This is a great confidence booster for us kasi we wanted to display and show people na we can beat any team, especially yung naka-Finals at naka-Final Four and I think it will help us in our upcoming two games,” said Corteza.
“I think everyone sa team namin can score,” he added. “Coach Charles (Tiu) also gives us the green light. Everyone the green light to shoot if it is open and pass it out if sobrang nakaka-pressure na and like if nado-double.”
Rence Nocum tallied 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Warren Bonifacio had a double-double outing of 14 points and 11 rebounds while Arvin Gamboa chipped in 11 points and seven boards as the Cardinals dropped to 0-8.
Defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights arrested its two-game losing skid with a 77-69 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags in the second game.
After leading by as much as 18 points, the Knights were threatened by a furious Stags rally that cut the deficit to 67-70. Conversions by Louie Sangalang and Kurt Reyson kept the Letran afloat.
King Caralipio led the way for the Knights with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Sangalang and Brent Paraiso returned from two-game suspension with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
CSB 73 — Corteza 17, Oczon 14, Lepalam 10, Sangco 8, Gozum 8, Nayve 6, Carlos 4, Pasturan 3, Cullar 3, Marcos 0, Flores 0.
MAPUA 64 — Nocum 15, Bonifacio 14, Gamboa 11, Salenga 7, Lacap 6, Pido 5, Garcia 4, Hernandez 2, Agustin 0, Parinas 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 18-11, 29-29, 43-32, 73-64./PN
