Blazers dump Knights; Lions grab solo 2nd

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BY ABBY TORALBA

WITH Miggy Corteza showing the way, College of St. Benilde dismantled defending three-time champion Letran 68-55 yesterday to close out the first round on a high in the 99th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Cortez, a 6-foot-4 forward, was a rebound short of a double-double, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds while Migs Oczon added 15 markers, six boards, and six assists.

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Skipper Robi Nayve also had 12, while Prince Carlos and reigning MVP Will Gozum added eight and seven points, respectively, for CSB, which improved to 5-4 in a tie with Emilio Aguinaldo College for fifth.

The Knights fell to 1-8.

“Well, it’s good to get the win. I can say I’m a bit relieved. It’s been a tough first round for us. Easily, we could’ve been 8-1, 7-2 (in the standings), but we’re 5-4,” Blazers coach Charles Tiu said. “It’s tough but at least we’ve been playing better, we just need to close games better because a lot of games we’ve let slip away. “Hopefully, we can still make a run in the second round,” he added.

Deo Cuajao was the lone bright spot for the Knights with 11 points, while Kint Ariar had nine markers and 11 rebounds.

Earlier, the San Beda University Red Lions tripped the Generals 86-72 for their fourth straight victory.

Jacob Cortez scored 17 points for San Beda, while Clifford Jopia had 11 markers and 11 caroms.

 

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