Robi Nayve and AJ Benson took turns in steering De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde past the gritty University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 83-73, to grab its fourth win in row in the NCAA Season 97 on Saturday.
Miggy Corteza led CSB with his game-long brilliance en route to 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Benson added 16 points - all of them in the second half - while Nayve finished with 14 markers after scattering 11 over the first two periods. Benson and Nayve also combined to score the last two baskets of the game to put Perpetual away.
The win hiked Blazers' record to 4-1 while the Altas dropped to 2-3. CSB is in solo third behind only Letran and San Beda, both sporting identical 4-0 cards.
CSB got off to a hot start with veteran Nayve draining nine of his overall output in the opening period as they took a 21-15 cushion to wrap up the frame.
That turned out to be just a prelude as the wards of rookie coach Charles Tiu held the Myk Saguiguit-mentored team to only nine markers in the second quarter with Prince Carlos drilling two triples for a 31-15 lead.
An 8-0 run from the side of CSB capped off the first half for a huge 46-24 advantage going into the break.
In the third quarter, it was the turn of Benson to take charge as the new recruit helped CSB weather the rally staged by Perpetual, which cut its deficit to just 11, 55-44, behind a scoring explosion from Jielo Razon.
Benson then gave his team some breathing room by knocking down two triples, though CSB ended the period holding just a 63-52 advantage.
Another Benson three brought it to a 68-54 spread but Razon, Jef Egan, and Kim Aurin helped get Perpetual to as close as six points, 77-71.
A huge shot from Corteza and back-to-back baskets from Nayve and Benson, though, put up the finishing kick for CSB as they picked up their fourth win in five games.
Razon finished with 23 points to pace the Altas while Aurin logged a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
CSB will try to extend its winning streak to five when it faces Jose Rizal University on Tuesday, April 12, while Perpetual squares off with Mapua University on Wednesday.
The scores:
Saint Benilde 83 — Corteza 24, Benson 16, Nayve 14, Gozum 9, Carlos 9, Lim 5, Cullar 2, Marcos 2, Sangco 2, Davis 0, Lepalam 0, Flores 0.
Perpetual 73 — Razon 23, Aurin 16, Egan 12, Pagaran 8, Omega 5, Barcuma 5, Boral 4, Cuevas 0, Abis 0, Martel 0, Sevilla 0, Nunez 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 46-24, 63-52, 83-73.
—JMB, GMA News
