Topscorer James Pasturan scored his only basket in the last period but it helped the College of St. Benilde Blazers edge the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 69-66, in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
Pasturan, who led with 19 points, knocked in a crucial charity with 8.4 seconds left but it proved enough to hand the Blazers the win.
“It’s good to be back with our first win of the season,” said Blazers’ coach TY Tang, who recalled their loss to the San Sebastian Stags in their first match last year.
They were eventually awarded that victory by forfeiture by the NCAA management committee. SSC forfeited its first game against the Blazers last season after it was learned that Stags’ cager RK Ilagan played in a pre-season cagefest without clearance from the league.
Pasturan’s basket put a halt to the Generals’ rally from eight points down in the last five minutes.
Justin Gutang backed up Pasturan with 17 points, with his two freebies in the final 2:26 of the third handing the Blazers a 42-27 spread.
JP Magullano unloaded 18 points for the Generals, while Jethro Mendoza fired 16, eight coming in the last period.
The Blazers struggled with the injuries sustained by veterans Clement Leuntcheu and Yanqui Haruna during a pre-season game. Leuntcheu is recovering from a hurt quad strain, while Haruna is still undergoing rehabilitation from a broken jaw.
Meanwhile, Edgar Charcos led a big run in the endgame to lift the University of Perpetual Help Altas to an 80-78 triumph over the Mapua Cardinals.
Charcos’ efforts allowed the Altas to shatter a 69-all deadlock with an 8-0 run that he initiated as they moved ahead, 77-69, with 4:14 remaining.
The Cardinals still came back off Jasper Salenga and Laurenz Victoria, who unloaded a triple that allowed Mapua stay within range, 78-79, with 8.2 ticks to go.
But a split free throw from Charcos with 3.3 seconds left settled the final count in the Altas’ favor.
Tonton Peralta and Charcos led the Altas with 16 points.
In the junior division, the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas got 16 points from Ed Galoy, took control of the boards to upset the defending champion Malayan Red Robins, 76-62, while newbie Jiam Quiambao drilled in 19 points for the La Salle Greenhills Greenies in their 72-68 triumph over the EAC-ICA Brigadiers.
Rookie Kyle Cuevas hit 11 points and had 10 rebounds for the Junior Altas, who protected a 49-39 edge at the end of the third.
“We are happy we won against the defending champions. Gusto talagang maglaro nang maayos ng mga boys,” said Junior Altas mentor Myke Saguiguit.
Two freebies from Raffy Arguelles in the final 14.7 seconds allowed the Greenies to keep their distance from the Brigadiers, who drew 15 points from Eli Ilustrisimo.