The College of St. Benilde Blazers walloped Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 80-68, in a highly-physical game at the NCAA Season 87 men’s basketball at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Blazers used a big third quarter following a scuffle between EAC’s Jolas Paguia and CSB’s Jan Tan in posting their fourth win in nine games, tying idle Lyceum Pirates at fourth spot.
The Blazers were only leading by six, 42-36, early in the third period when Tan and Paguia got locked in a rebound battle that led to the former elbowing the latter’s chin. Paguia reacted and pushed Tan prompting the referees to halt the game. Both players were assessed with Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 which led to automatic ejection.
When the play resumed, the Blazers went on 13-0 blitz to erect a 55-36 advantage that went as high as 20, 59-39, near the end of the third canto.
The Generals put a semblance of a fight twice in the fourth period cutting the lead to 14, 61-47, and the 13, 77-64, but the Blazers showed composure.
Jonathan Grey’s 17 points and 12 rebounds paced the Blazers, who are off to their best start under coach Richard del Rosario. - Alder Almo
The scores:
St. Benilde 80 - Grey 17, Romero 12, Lastimosa 10, Taha 9, Tan 8, Altamirano 7, McCoy 7, Sinco 4, dela Paz 4, Deles 2, de Guzman 0, Nayve 0
EAC 68- Cubo 22, Torralba 16, Jamon 16, Yaya 5, Chiong 4, Vargas 3, Morada 2, Paguia 0, Villegas 0, Sanchez 0
Quarterscores: 18-11; 40-32; 61-42; 80-68