Blazers near top 2 windup

By JOEY VILLAR

Games tomorrow (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 12 p.m. – EAC vs AU / 3 p.m. – CSB vs San Beda

St. Benilde drew strength from other sources when MVP race leader Will Gozum sputtered for just nine points as the Blazers turned back the Arellano University Chiefs, 83-73, yesterday to reclaim a share of the lead with Letran in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. Migz Corteza and Mark Sangco came off the bench and filled the void by a struggling Gozum as the Blazers not only jumped to joint first with a 13-4 slate but also ensured them of at least a playoff crack at one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four. CSB goes for that coveted incentive in a crucial game versus San Beda (12-5) tomorrow. CSB coach Charles Tiu had the duo of Corteza (with 15 points) and Sangco (11 points and 13 rebounds) to thank for as Gozum was out of sync the whole game and wound up with nine points and 10 boards. “They stepped up big for us. Will Gozum wasn’t that good today (yesterday),” said Tiu of the CortezaSangco frontcourt tandem. The Chiefs dropped to 7-10. Earlier, San Sebastian edged Emilio Aguinaldo College, 62-59, to improve to 8-9. The Generals skidded to 2-15. The scores: First Game San Sebastian 62 – Altamirano 18, Calahat 12, Aguilar 11, Sumoda 6, Cosari 4, Villapando 3, Una 3, Escobido 2, Are 0, Concha 0. EAC 59 – Cosejo 15, Dominguez 12, Tolentino 7, Maguliano 6, Cosa 6, Quinal 5, Balowa 4, Luciano 2, Angeles 2, Bajon 0, Umpad 0, An. Doria 0. Quarterscores: 20-15, 39-32, 5344, 62-59 Second Game CSB 83 – Nayve 17, Corteza 15, Sangco 11, Pasturan 10, Gozum 9, Oczon 6, Cullar 5, Lepalam 4, Carlos 3, Lim 3, Marcos 0, Mara 0, Davis 0. AU 73 – Flores 17, Doromal 14, Mantua 11, Tolentino 10, Talampas 10, Mallari 8, Ongotan 3, Oliva 0, Abastillas 0, Oftana 0, Sunga 0. Quarterscores: 24-24, 45-46, 6459, 83-73