Blazers notch 2nd straight victory

Games today (La Salle Greenhills Gym) 12 nn. – Letran vs UPHSD 3 p.m. – San Beda vs JRU

College of St. Benilde executed its plays well down the stretch to edge Arellano University, 7671, yesterday and snare its second straight win in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.

Robi Nayve fired a game-best 19 points including a booming triple with 55 seconds left. It turned out the game-winner as the Blazers defense held the Chiefs scoreless the rest of the way.

Will Gozum scattered 17 points, including back-to-back baskets in a crucial stretch in the fourth that helped CSB go on a roll after dropping its first game to defending champion Letran, 67-63, in the season inaugurals last March 26.

AJ Benson also hit three clutch free throws late to help in the cause.

CSB coach Charles Tiu, however, said there is still a lot of room for improvement on their offense.

“Eighty percent of our game hinges more on our defense. Our offense remained a work in progress but I can see us improving in that department in our next games,” said Tiu.

The Chiefs gambled on playing Justin Arana, who was diagnosed with a partial ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear after a bad fall late in a 65-63 win over San Sebastian last week.

While the 6-6 Arana came through with a monster game – 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks – he was seen limping at times. He was finally taken out in the dying seconds.

Arana came close to almost singlehandedly helping the Chiefs snatch the win, scoring twice to give them a 68-67 lead and, after three Benson foul shots gave the Blazers a 70-68 upperhand, knot the count at 70-all with a minute to go.

But Arana hurt his knee again and was never a factor the rest of the way as Nayve’s long trey and CSB’s defense sealed the deal.

In the other game, Emilio Aguinaldo College survived Lyceum of the Philippines U, 70-69, to register its first win in three games.

The Pirates sputtered to their third setback in row. The Scores: St. Benilde 76 – Nayve 19, Gozum 17, Corteza 10, Marcos 7, Benson 6, Publico 6, Carlos 5, Cullar 2, Lepalam 2, Flores 1, Davis 1, Tateishi 0, Sangco 0, Mosqueda 0, Lim 0

Arellano 71 – Caballero 15, Arana 14, Doromal 12, Sablan 10, Steinl 9, Abastillas 4, Sta. Ana 3, Valencia 2, Oliva 2, Cruz 0, Talampas 0, Concepcion 0, Carandang 0 Quarterscores: 14-11; 36-29; 58-54; 74-71 Second Game EAC 70 – Taywan 14, Maguliano 13, Cosa 10, Liwag 8, Robin 6, Quinal 5, Gurtiza 5, Luciano 4, Ad. Doria 2, Cadua 2, Umpad 1, Bunyi 0, Fuentes 0, An. Doria 0

LPU 69 – Bravo 12, Navarro 9, Cunanan 9, Valdez 9, Barba 9, Remulla 8, Larupay 7, Guadana 3, Gaviola 2, Umali 1, Guinto 0, Silvarez 0, Jabel 0

Quarterscores: 22-9; 37-34; 52-52; 70-69