The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers took control of the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, 85-72, today, June 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Taft squad asserted control in the opening canto, sailing to a 17-11 lead behind the collective efforts of Matthew Jucom, Raffy Celis, and Ian Torres, capped by a thunderous slam from SJ Moore. LPU trimmed the deficit through Matthew Rubico, Lyon Pallingayan, and former Blazer Roger Ondoa, but the men in green and white responded with a clinical scoring run led by Zenric Jarque, Arle Podador, and Drei Lorenzo, protecting a 31-20 cushion. 

The Pirates stormed back in the second quarter, erasing a 14-point deficit behind Nath Fuentes, Lance Aurigue, Jonathan Daileg, and Pallingayan. After trailing, the Intramuros squad steadily chipped away at Taft’s lead before Rubico's scoring outburst tied the game at 38-all, later giving the Pirates their first lead at 42-40. However, the Blazers steadied the ship through Jesse Arciaga and a timely triple from Jucom, allowing the Blazers to narrowly reclaim a 43-42 edge heading into halftime.

Lyceum carried its momentum into the third frame, opening with an 11-0 run powered by Genesis Aviles, Rubico, Aurigue, Renz Villegas, and James Almario to build a 53-43 lead. Benilde weathered the surge as Jucom and Jarque sparked the offense, trimming the deficit to two possessions. Jhomel Ancheta completed a three-point play that finally gave the Blazers the lead while Moore helped maintain the advantage before Jarque buried a deep buzzer-beating triple from near the logo to send the Blazers into the final period with a 63-58 cushion.

In the fourth canto, the men in green and white halted the Pirates’ comeback hopes with an offensive barrage led by Podador, Ancheta, Lorenzo, Celis, and Jucom. The Blazers stretched their five-point lead to as much as 19, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Podador and a transition steal-and-layup from Celis. Lyceum found pockets of offense, but could not contain the Blazers' offense as they maintained firm control throughout the period en route to an 85-72 advantage.

The Blazers look to sustain their momentum as they go head-to-head against the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions on June 12 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, with a live telecast on PusoP.com.

Quarter Scores: 31-20, 43-42, 63-58, 85-72