Benilde bounces back at the expense of Arellano, ties LPU atop standings

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde made sure there wouldn’t be a losing streak as it bounced back from a loss with a convincing 84-72 win over Arellano University in the NCAA Season 98 on Wednesday.

Benilde, which lost to Colegio de San Juan de Letran recently, improved to 4-1 to tie Lyceum of the Philippines University at the top of the standings.

Arellano, meanwhile, dropped to 3-3 behind a two-game losing slump.

Will Gozum again came up big for the Blazers, tallying 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists. Mark Sangco added 11 points and eight boards while JC Cullar scored 10 points and dished out seven assists in the win.

 

 

Tied at 20 at the end of the first quarter, Benilde suddenly stepped on the gas in the second frame that saw the Blazers outscore the Chiefs, 32 to 15, with Will Gozum and JC Cullar steadying the ship for the Taft crew.

Benilde built an 18-point lead at 50-32 following a slam from Miggy Corteza, who again struck early in the third to make it a 60-38 spread.

Arellano tried to make a rally, closing the gap to 63-47, but Benilde again made it an 18-point game, 67-49 lead.

But the Chiefs were able to slice that down to just 11, 80-69, after Axel Doromal led a run and capped it with two freebies late in the fourth.

Benilde got enough lift from its bench as the Blazers cruised to their fourth win in five games.

Axel Doromal led Arellano with 23 points while Cade Flores posted 15 points and 14 rebounds for the slumping Chiefs.

Benilde takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday while Arellano faces Mapua University on Sunday.

The scores:

Benilde 84 - Gozum 15, Sangco 11, Cullar 10, Lim 7, Sumabat 6, Corteza 6, Flores 6, Cajucom 6, Carlos 5, Nayve 5, Marcos 5, Pasturan 2, Mara 0, Lepalam 0, Davis 0.

Arellano 72 - Doromal 23, Flores 15, Mallari 11, Menina 7, Oliva 5, Talampas 4, Tolentino 4, Abastillas 2, Oftana 1, Sunga 0, Punzalan 0.

Quarters: 20-20, 52-35, 67-49, 84-72.

—JMB, GMA News

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