The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers started off their NCAA Season 102 campaign earning back-to-back wins after a decisive victory against the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) Pirates, 98-82, today, Sept 17. at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The opening quarter was a closely contested affair, with both squads matching each other’s intensity early in the game. The Pirates sparked a 4-0 run spearheaded by Matthew Rubico’s 3-point play and a split free throw by Renz Villegas. However, the men in green and white quickly fired back with a triple from Zenric Jarque and a deuce from Mo Morales. Benilde and Lyceum kept each other within reach as they traded multiple shots in the free throw line, finishing at 25-23.
The second canto saw a similar battle with both teams finding their rhythm. Rubico, Villegas, and Roger Ondoa bolstered the Pirates’ offense while Matthew Jucom and SJ Moore kept the Taft squad afloat. In the first half’s final seconds, Jhommel Ancheta found Jucom inside the paint and got a layup, ending the second frame with a 7-point cushion, 57-50.
In the third stretch, Rubico quickly registered a 2-point shot in the first seconds, but Benilde’s Irele Galas fired back with a triple to extend their lead. Galas propelled the Taft squad’s offense, with the rest of the team sustaining their momentum in the third quarter with steady shots beyond the arc and foul shots at the line, holding a 15-point advantage heading into the final quarter, 80-65.
In the payoff round, Ancheta and Jucom controlled Benilde’s offense despite Lyceum’s efforts to mount a comeback. Villegas tried to build a run for the Pirates but the Blazers put up a fight as Josh Cajucom's 2-pointer in the final 20 seconds sealed the victory, 98-82.
Player of the Game Jucom anchored Taft with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
The Benilde Blazers aim to extend their streak as they face the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers on Sept. 22 at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City, with a live telecast on One Sports on YouTube, PilipinasLIVE on CignalPlay and NCAA NXT on Cignal TV.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (98) - Jucom 17, Galas 13, Sanchez 12, Cajucom 12, Moore 10, Morales 10, Ancheta 8, Torres 8, Jarque 3, Arciaga 3, Podador 2, Baliquig 0, Lorenzo 0, Daja 0.
LPU (82) - Villegas 24, Rubico 11, Peñafiel 11, Ondoa 11, Daileg 5, Matienzo 4, Almario 3, Pallingayan 3, Manuel 2, Guadana 2, Panelo 2, Aurigue 2, Cardinas 2, Fuentes 0, Aviles 0.
