De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde weathered the Emilio Aguinaldo College rally and emerged victorious, 73-61, to claim solo top spot of the NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
Down 12 to open the fourth, EAC staged a huge 7-0 run led by Ralph Robin to pull to within five, 63-58, with 7:12 left. But back-to-back baskets courtesy of Miggy Corteza had the Blazers enjoying a comfotable 70-59 lead with barely a minute left.
Migs Oczon led Benilde with 14 points while Corteza finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Will Gozum had another strong performance, tallying a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards.
With the win, Benilde moved into solo first place with a 5-1 card while host EAC remained winless at 0-5.
Benilde led by 14 early in the second quarter, 27-13, but EAC showed its claws late in the frame with Robin firing two triples to make it just a 43-39 deficit heading to the second half.
EAC also outrebounded Benilde in the opening half, 26 to 18, with league-leading rebounder Allen Liwag grabbing eight boards.
A 57-52 third quarter spread went Benilde’s way but a JP Maguliano drop before that made it a 53-50 disadvantage for the Generals.
Robin and Liwag each finished with 15 points to pace EAC. Robin also tallied six rebounds and five assists while Liwag had 12 boards in a double-double.
The scores:
Benilde 73 - Oczon 14, Corteza 12, Gozum 11, Carlos 9, Cullar 8, Pasturan 7, Nayve 6, Sangco 2, Lepalam 2, Marcos 2, Davis 0, Sumabat 0.
EAC 61 - Robin 15, Liwag 15, Maguliano 10, Bajon 4, Cosa 4, Tolentino 3, An. Doria 3, Umpad 3, Cosejo 2, Luciano 2, Balowa 0, Dominguez 0, Quinal 0.
Quarters: 24-13, 43-39, 57-52, 73-61.
—JMB, GMA News
