Skipper Mark Romero went on a three-point shooting spree in the second half as College of St. Benilde rallied from 17 points down in trouncing San Sebastian, 80-74, on Wednesday in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Romero exploded with five triples all in the second half and led all scorers with 25 points in helping seal the Blazers their eighth win against five defeats while staying closer from regaining their spot in the magic four.
San Beda is leading the way with a 10-2 (win-loss) record followed by Arellano (9-3), Perpetual Help (8-4) and Jose Rizal (8-4).
"He's the leader of this team and he showed us why in this game," said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco of Romero.
The win avenged St. Benilde's heartbreaking 72-74 defeat to San Sebastian in the first round on July 11 while putting it back on track after a disappointing 54-78 defeat to San Beda last Saturday.
"Our focus going into this game is to get a win and not dwell on the past," said Velasco.
The Stags went on attack mode early and erected a 40-23 lead, their biggest in the game, in the second quarter before the Blazers unloaded a 10-0 blast to close out the quarter and cut it to 40-33 at the break.
Enter Romero, who launched his shooting barrage to carry St. Benilde to victory.
Juan Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey provided the ample back up with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Jovit dela Cruz paced his team with 21 points while Bradwyn Guinto and Jaymar Perez chipped in 13 apiece.
The Stags though lost steam in the end and absorbed a ninth straight setback and 10th overall against three triumphs.
In the second game, Kevin Racal scored 27 points in Letran's 79-70 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo college.
The Knights improved their record to 5-7, while EAC dropped to 3-9. — Photos by Jeff Venancio
The scores:
First game:
CSB 80 - Romero 25, Taha 19, Grey 18, Ongtenco 7, Sinco 5, Saavedra 4, Bartolo 2, Jonson 0, Nayve 0, Pajarillaga 0, Deles 0, Altamirano -
SSC-R 74 - Dela Cruz 21,Guinto 13, Perez 13, Ortouste 9, Yong 6, Balucanag 4, Fabian 3, Santos 3, Camasura 2, Calisaan 0, Pretta 0
Quarters: 16-24; 33-40; 59-57; 80-74
Second game:
LETRAN 79 - Racal 27, Nambatac 15, Cruz 14, Gabawan 6, Singontiko 6, Saldua 3, Ruaya 3, Quinto 3, Tambeling 2, Calvo 0, Castro 0, Luib 0, Publico 0
EAC 70 - Serrano 17, Onwubre 15, Jamon 14, General 8, Tayongtong 6, Aguilar 4, Santos 4, Mejos 1, Saludo 1, Pascual 0, Arquero 0
Quarters: 16-21; 40-38; 54-51; 79-70
