Blazers back on trail, edge Altas

MANILA, Philippines – College of St. Benilde outlasted University of Perpetual Help, 86-80, on Tuesday to register its first streak of the year and reposition itself in title-contention in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Robi Nayve and Miguel Oczon took turns in torching the Altas by firing 20 and 19 points, respectively, as the Blazers claimed their first back-to-back win of the season and their third overall against the same number of losses to get back on title track.

Earlier, San Sebastian denied Jose Rizal University a place at second spot with a stunning 72-59 win.

It was the Stags’ second win in five games that also enhanced its Final Four bid.

For the Bombers, they fell to third with a 4-2 mark instead of moving up to solo No. 2 had they won this one.

But SSC just had other plans in mind as they bounced back from a lethargic start with a series of blistering runs that started in the second quarter when it outscored JRU, 22-13, that knotted the count at 31 from an 18-9 disadvantage.

Jessie Sumoda and Rommel Calahat fueled the Stags’ dramatic fightback and finished with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

It was the uncanny pair who sparked that decisive second half blast.

SSC completely finished off JRU in the third canto when it outscored JRU again, 24-15.

The Bombers lost their touch from outside and misfired on 35 of the 39 three-point shots they attempted.

The scores:

First Game

San Sebastian 72 – Sumoda 15, Escobido 12, Desoyo 12, Calahat 11, Are 9, Una 6, Shanoda 4, Felebrico 2, Ra. Gabat 1, de Leon 0, Re. Gabat 0, Aguilar 0

Jose Rizal 59 – Miranda 15, Guiab 9, Argente 7, Mosqueda 7, Arenal 6, Pabico 4, Sarmiento 4, Dionisio 3, Ramos 2, delos Santos 1, de Leon 1, Medina 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0

Quarterscores: 9-18; 31-31; 55-46; 72-59

Second Game

CSB 86 – Nayve 20, Oczon 19, Carlos 13, Cajucom 12, Corteza 6, Gozum 6, Turco 4, Sangco 3, Arciaga 2, Marcos 1, Jarque 0, Marasigan 0, Mara 0

UPHSD 80 – Roque 24, Pagaran 16, Nitura 15, Omega 12, Abis 8, Barcuma 2, Ferreras 2, Razon 1, Cuevas 0, Boral 0, Gelsano 0, Nunez 0, Orgo 0

Quarterscores: 19-18; 39-35; 68-54; 86-80