Blazers back on top, subdue Pirates

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde survived a late scare as it repulsed a pesky Lyceum of the Philippines University, 100-88, yesterday to reclaim a piece of the lead in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

It was an important victory for the Blazers, who not only leapt back to the top alongside the Letran Knights with identical 12-4 records but also boosted the former’s bid for a top two finish and the twice-to-beat Final Four incentive that goes with it.

CSB showed the toughness that coach Charles Tiu was pleading all week and was relentless in attacking in transition and executing its defensive plan to near perfection.

Will Gozum came through with an MVP performance and dominated with 18 points on nine-of-12 shooting clip, 11 rebounds and four assists in just 21 minutes on the floor.

“We just want to win and get that No. 2 spot, which will be an advantage to us to make it to the finals,” said Gozum, who will play an eliminated Arellano U tomorrow and San Beda Tuesday.

Spearheaded by Gozum, the Blazers led by as much as 24 points and was ready to call it a day after resting their starters with four minutes to go.
But CSB’s bench nearly blew it as LPU came roaring back and trimmed its deficit to a single-digit before Tiu sent back his starters to finish the Pirates off.

LPU finished the elims with a 12-6 mark.

In a non-bearing duel, San Sebastian downed University of Perpetual Help, 78-74, to improve to 7-9.

The Altas dropped to 7-11.

It was redemption of sorts for Stags mentor Egay Macaraya, whose one-game suspension was lifted by league commissioner Tonichi Pujante, who at the same time suspended the referees for failing to give the former his right for a video challenge and called for two technical fouls instead that resulted to his ejection.