De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde squandered an early lead but got its act together late to emerge victorious against Arellano University, 72-66, in the NCAA Season 99 on Sunday.
Benilde has now won its third straight outing to improve to 4-3 while Arellano absorbed its second consecutive loss to slide to 1-6.
The Blazers blew an early 11-point lead after the Chiefs unleashed a wild 20-0 run to close out the first half up by double digits, 36-26, with Troy Valencia dropping 16 points in that juncture.
The Blazers then regrouped in the third as Migs Oczon, who was held to just three points in the first half, buried back-to-back triples to retake the lead, 45-44.
Jeadan Ongotan waxed hot in the fourth, powering a personal 8-0 run to give Arellano a 55-51 cushion until Benilde skipper Robi Nayve tied things up at 61-all.
Prince Carlos’ putback at the 2:07 mark, followed by a long jumper from Oczon, sent Benilde to a crucial 67-61 lead. However, Valencia buried a triple that cut their deficit to two, 66-68, with less than 30 seconds left.
Oczon steadily knocked down two free throws for a 70-66 advantage in the final 12.6 ticks en route to the win.
Oczon top-scored Benilde with 16 points while Carlos scattered 15 markers, five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal. Big men Mark Sangco and Paul Turco also made their presence felt on defense as Will Gozum and Miggy Corteza struggled.
Sangco had 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench while Turco tallied 11 boards and four markers.
Scores:
Benilde 72- Oczon 16, Carlos 15, Sangco 12, Nayve 11, Turco 4, Jalalon 4, Arciaga 3, Gozum 2, Morales 2, Mara 2, Corteza 1, Marcos 0, Lepalam 0, Jarque 0.
Arellano 66- Valencia 16, Ongotan 13, Capulong 12, Talampas 8, Sunga 7, Villarente 3, Dayrit 22, Mallari 2, Geronimo 0, Abastillas 0, Yanes 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12; 26-36; 51-47; 72-66.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
