The College of St. Benilde Blazers crawled back from a 15-point deficit in the third period to put away the Mapua Cardinals, 74-69, on Monday night at the Arena in San Juan.
JJ Domingo led with 24 points for the Blazers, who registered their second win in six games in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
Domingo’s two charities off a foul by Laurenz Victoria in the last 15.7 seconds gave the Blazers a three-point cushion at endgame, 72-69.
“I’m super enthusiastic. Nawala pagod ko, It’s been awhile since we last won a Mapua game,” said Blazers coach TY Tang.
Clement Lentcheu tallied 14 points and 17 rebounds for the Blazers, with his putback in the remaining 1:58 that kept the Blazers ahead, 71-67.
Carlo Young shot 13 points for CSB, and he joined hands with Domingo and Lentcheu in the third period as the Blazers worked their way out of a 52-61 deficit.
Domingo made five points in the last canto, with his drive in the last 3:29 shattering a 69-all deadlock.
Christian Bunag banged in 13 points and hauled down 11 rebounds for Cardinals.
The Cardinals had two chances to keep up with the Blazers.
But Andrew Estrella’s passing error to Victoria, and another JB Raflores’ miscue in giving the ball to JP Nieles in the final minute led, to two costly turnovers.