Justin Gutang topscored for 12 points as the College of St. Benilde Blazers edged a fired up Mapua Cardinals, 71-67, at the latter’s own homecourt in the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament on Thursday.
Gutang, who got hurt following a pileup in the last 3.2 seconds, capped a decisive 6-2 run that broke a 53-all deadlock and put the Blazers ahead with a 59-55 spread.
The Blazers went on to post their third straight win and now share the lead with the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
The Cardinals, with Arvin Gamboa showing the way with 14 points, dropped to their fourth straight loss.
“I like the way we played in terms of our grit and grind all throughout the game. But, it’s really our offense. We need to be more efficient,” said Blazers’ coach TY Tang.
The La Salle Greenhills Greenies got the best out of RC Calimag as they upset the defending champion Malayan High School Red Robins, 95-90, in the junior division.
The 6’3” Calimag banged in 26 points and eight rebounds for the Greenies, who picked up their second win in three outings .
Calimag’s split charity in the last 17 seconds in the third period allowed the Greenies to finally move slowly ahead, 71-67, at the end of the third period. It was Calimag’s best showing after making 13 and 17 points in the Greenies games against Emilio Aguinaldo College and University of Perpetual Help.
Teammate Jan Manansala added 17 points and hauled in 10 rebounds for the Greenies, who moved into a three-way tie for third with Arellano University and San Sebastian.
Raffy Arguelles knocked in 15 points, with his putback in the remaining 31.1 seconds handing the Greenies a 93-86 edge in the final period.
Kobe Palencia, who shot 12, connected with two triples at the start of the fourth and the Greenies never looked back after they took a 78-67 spread in the remaining 7:49.
“Hindi kami nag-expect ng isang blowout game. But the team displayed good character today,” said Greenies’ coach Karl Santos.
The Red Robins, still winless after four games, got 23 points from Megan Galang, who had 10 points in the last 10 minutes.
Jonnel Policarpio contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Red Robins, who enjoyed a 64-62 edge with 3:14.
The Red Robins lost their advantage when Greenies’ cager Lennox Valenzuela struck underneath and Calimag scored on a pair of baskets to hand LSGH a 68-64 edge.