PUSH. Miguel Oczon of College of Saint Benilde dictates the tempo against Jose Rizal University at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 at Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan on Friday (Sept. 29, 2023). The Benilde Blazers won in overtime, 93-85. (Photo courtesy of NCAA)
MANILA – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) beat Jose Rizal University (JRU) in overtime, 93-85, for its first win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 at Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan on Friday.
Miguel Corteza scored 21 points while reigning MVP Will Gozum, back from a one-game suspension, delivered 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
The Blazers bounced back from their 81-85 loss to the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates during Sunday’s opener at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“We competed, they competed and I can say we got lucky in the end,” said CSB coach Charles Tiu, who dismissed the tension between the teams during the extra period.
“Obviously it got chippy in the end, but that’s just basketball, no big deal,” he added.
JRU, which lost key players to either foul trouble or unsportsmanlike fouls in overtime, absorbed its first defeat after pulling off an 85-79 overtime win over three-time champion Letran.
The loss put to waste the efforts of Agem Miranda, who posted a career-high 31 points to go with six rebounds and two blocks.
JL Delos Santos contributed eight points and five assists, while Theo Pabico also had eight points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, Arellano University takes on San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The other match pits Lyceum against Perpetual Help at 3 p.m. (PNA)
