As posted in the Manila Bulletin by Jonas Terrado
College of Saint Benilde won its first game in over a month with an 82-73 win over cellar-dweller Emilio Aguinaldo College in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament Friday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Blazers drew strong games from rookie Michael Pate, Paolo Taha and Carlo Lastimosa to snap a four-game losing run and tie idle Lyceum for sixth place with similar 6-11 records.
Pate, a former National Youth mainstay, came off the bench to register 18 points, three rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes of action.
Taha had 14 points and three boards and Lastimosa, in his third game back after a brief absence, registered 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Center Jan Tan added 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots.
It was St. Benilde’s first win since a narrow 66-64 victory over Arellano on Sept. 5. Since then, the Blazers lost their next four games that eliminated them from Final Four contention.
The loss of Mark Romero, who migrated along with his parents to the United States, a brief misunderstanding that led to a temporary departure of Lastimosa from the team likewise affected their semis bid.
“We could have done better,” said coach Richard del Rosario. “I think the lost of our players during the midseason and failing to win games that we could have won affected us but could build something from this.”
Boxscores
Jrs
LSGH 84 – Bonleon 19, Torres 15, Villaruz 13, Vito 10, Yap 9, Ramilo 7, Sta Clara 6, Barrera 4, Laigo 1, Mercado 0
EAC 67 – Mendoza 21, Superable 17, Onwubere 15, Cuyos 8, Padrones 2, Manreza 2, Cabral 2, Rait 0, Meana 0, Magtaas 0
Quarterscores: 22-10;35-32;53-46;84-67
Srs
CSB 82 – Pate 18, Taha 14, Lastimosa 13, Tan 10, Altamirano 8, Deles 8, De la Paz 5, Sinco 4, Carlos 2, McCoy 0.
EAC 73 – Jamon 20, Yaya 17, Vargas 11, Cubo 10, Torralba 6, Chiong 5, Paguia 2, Sanchez 2, Morada 0, King 0, Diolanto 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19;43-30;61-47;82-73.