MANILA – College of St. Benilde Blazers stayed unbeaten in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament with a 78-51 win over the University of Perpetual Help Altas on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Justine Sanchez led the way with 13 points, while Winston Ynot and Gab Cometa added 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Blazers remained on top of the standings with a 4-0 win-loss slate.
“We were worried going into this game because any team that (Altas head coach) Olsen (Racela) handles is a good team,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu. “Good thing we managed to have a good performance.”
The Blazers surged to an 18-10 lead in the opening quarter before they created separation from the Altas in the second quarter for a 50-29 halftime advantage before it grew to as high as 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Mark Gojo Cruz finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Negrense guard Shawn Orgo added 10 markers as the Altas dropped to 2-2 in the standings.
Meanwhile, Negrense Mart James Barrera had an efficient offensive game as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers defeated the San Sebastian College Golden Stags, 90-74.
The former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout finished with 18 points, including four three-pointers, to go with two rebounds and two assists as the Heavy Bombers improved to a 1-3 win-loss slate.
Marvin Raymundo tallied a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead JRU, Jonathan Medina added 11 points, while Shawn Argente and Justin Lozano contributed 10 markers apiece.
“Laking bagay ng panalo na ito. It’s actually a big relief on the side of my team,” said Heavy Bombers head coach Louie Gonzalez. “Ang challenge ko lang talaga sa kanila is to show up.”
Rafael Are tallied 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block, Raymart Escobido and Ameer Aguilar each contributed 11 points as the Golden Stags dropped to a 2-2 win-loss card./PN
