Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 p.m. — EAC vs AU
3 p.m. — CSB vs San Beda
COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) drew strength from other sources when MVP leader Will Gozum sputtered as it turned back Arellano University (AU), 83-73, yesterday to reclaim a share of the lead with San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Migz Corteza and Mark Sangco came off the bench and filled the void left by a struggling Mr. Gozum as the Blazers not only jumped to joint first with a 13-4 slate but also ensured them of at least a playoff for one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four.
CSB could claim that important edge outright with a win against San Beda (12-5) on Wednesday.
A loss, however, would mean it would have to play another game for that advantage.
And CSB head coach Charles Tiu had the duo of Mr. Corteza, who had 15 points, and Mr. Sangco, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, to thank for as Mr. 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 Mr. Tiu of the Corteza-Sangco frontcourt tandem.
The Arellano University Chiefs dropped to 7-10.
Earlier, San Sebastian edged Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 62-59, to improve to 8-9.
The Generals skidded to 2-15. — Joey Villar
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, 53-44, 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, 64-59, 83-73