From NCAA.org.ph
Another big fourth quarter turn gave College of Saint Benilde another win, a 74-62 rout on the Mapua in the 89th season of the NCAA at the Arena in San Juan.
Paolo Taha heeded another call to lead the Blazers to victory, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Taft squad posted their fifth win in their last six games for a 5-6 mark. Jonathan Grey, who appears to be the missing link for the Blazers in their first few games at the start of the season chipped in 14 points and six assists.
The Mapua Cardinals’ woes continues as they dropped their ninth straight game since July.
Just like in their first round meeting, it was a tight contest until the end of the third period. The closest the Cardinals could get was within two, 54-52 in the last 7:12 of the game on a basket from Joseph Eriobu.
Kenneth Ighalo’s 20-point explosion went down the drain as the Cardinals failed to match CSB’s output in the fourth, 15 against 24.
“We’re looking at it one game at a time. We’re slowly working out way up to the top 4. But now, we still have to work on our consistency,” said CSB’s Gabby Velasco.
Ighalo fired 11 points in the third period enough to keep the game close for Mapua and for the Cardinals to stay within striking distance but Taha played side by side with the fourth year small forward of Velasco, scoring Mapua’s main man with 14.
“Nagstep up ako dahil alam kong kailangan ako ng team, offensively and defensively. Pati yung mga bagay na wala sa stats, ginagawa ko for the team kasi alam kong malaki ang responsibility ko sa kanila,” said the soft-spoken Taha.
Mapua is still solo at the bottom of the standings with a 1-10 mark.
Box Scores
CSB (74) — Taha 25, Grey 14, Romero 13, Bartolo 8, Saavedra 4, Garcia 4, Sinco 2, Argamino 2, Deles 2, Jonson 0, Carlos 0, Ongteco 0, Mercado 0.
Mapua (62) — Ighalo 20, Eriobu 12, Saitanan 11, Biteng 8, Isit 4, Brana 3, Magtoto 2, Cantos 2, Guzman 0, Gonzalez 0, Magsigay 0, Estrella 0.
Quarters: 14-10, 28-26, 50-47, 74-62.
In junior’s basketball, the LSGH Greenies defeated the Malayan Red Robins to secure solo third in the standings at 8-3.
Box Scores
LSGH (89) — Barrera 16, Dela Cruz 15, Paras 14, San Juan 13, Rivero 12, Salonga 7, Alcala 4, Abadeza 4, Gob 2, Lanot 2, Ramilo 0, Lozada 0, R. Rivero 0.
Malayan (71) — Lugo 22, Serrano 15, Concepcion 15, Velvez 10, Aguirre 7, Pascua 2, Victoria 0, Calderon 0, Villasenor 0, Magpayo 0, Cabural 0.
Quarters: 19-24, 44-36, 67-46, 89-71.