De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde rode on a strong fourth quarter to show the door to San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 78-68, and improve its own standing in the NCAA Season 99 on Sunday.
Benilde, who was reeling from a tough tight loss to Lyceum of the Philippines University last Friday, solidified its hold of the third spot at 10-5.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, has been eliminated from contention with a 5-10 slate to join also-ran squads Letran and Arellano.
The Blazers led by as much as nine early in the game but an upset-seeking San Sebastian side made sure not to go down without a fight, putting the clamps on Benilde to trail by just four at the end of the third, 58-54.
The Blazers, however, flashed their endgame poise to complete the hard-fought win.
Two huge three-pointers from sophomore sniper Migs Oczon followed by a pair of freebies from Prince Carlos saw Benilde ahead by 12 halfway through the final frame, 70-58.
Graduating Stags veteran Romel Calahat then answered with five straight points to rally his team, 70-63, but their comeback attempt from a double-digit hole fell short as Will Gozum put thr punctuation with a slam.
Gozum topscored Benilde with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while the backcourt tandem of Oczon and Robi Nayve backstopped him with double-double outings as both guards finished with 13 markers and 10 boards apice.
Calahat and seasoned guard Alex Desoyo led the Stags with 14 and 11 points each, but those weren't enough as San Sebastian failed to enter the semifinals for the third straight season.
Benilde takes on San Beda on Wednesday while San Sebastian tangles with LPU on Friday.
Scores:
Benilde 78- Gozum 14, Nayve 13, Oczon 13, Mara 12, Corteza 6, Carlos 4, Cajucom 4, Sangco 4, Jarque 3, Turco 3, Morales 2, Marcos 0, Arciaga 0.
SSC-R 68- Calahat 14, Despyo 11, Re. Gabat 8, Are 8, Escobido 7, Felebrico 6, Sumoda 5, Shanoda 5, Una 4, De Leon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12; 43-41; 58-54; 78-68.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
