COLLEGE of Saint Benilde logged its second three-game winning streak in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament while defending two-champion Letran, with its two starters back, regained its winning ways yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Blazers further compounded Mapua’s woes with a 73-64 win, while the Knights celebrated the return of Mark Sangalang and Brent Paraiso to beat San Sebastian, 77-69.

The last two games for Benilde, which rose to a league-best 6-1 record, are no pushovers – against San Beda on Sunday and Jose Rizal University on October 14.

“This is a great confidence booster for us kasi we wanted to display and show people na we can beat any team, especially yung naka-Finals at naka-Final Four and I think it will help us in our upcoming two games,” said Corteza, who led the Blazers with 17 points and four rebounds.

Migs Oczon tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals while Ladis Lepalam contributed 10 points and five rebounds for the Blazers.

With a 4-3 record, Letran moved in a tie with Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in fifth place to remain within the Final Four range.

After a slow start as they re-integrate Sangalang and Paraiso in the flow of things, the Knights took command in the second period and never looked back.

Somehow the heartbreak of those back-to-back defeats to San Beda and Lyceum of the Philippines University where it squandered huge early double-digit leads had eased for Letran.

“Honestly, hanggang ngayon medyo in pain sa mga nangyari in the past few games. Kahit nga last win namin sa Mapua, masama pa rin ang loob dahil sa mga nangyari,” said Tan.

“Yun lang ang iniisip namin, ang makapag-bounce back ngayon, have a good win and doon lang gagaling yung nararamdaman naming lungkot and pain na sinasabi nating back-to-back losses.”

Back in action after serving two-game suspensions due to unsportsmanlike conducts, Sangalang had 11 points, eight boards, four assists and two blocks, while Paraiso chipped in 10 points, four boards and three assists for the Knights.

“Very happy,” said Tan. “Going to the game, kapag wala kang resources, wala kang materyales, for a coach, marami kang maiisip. Sinasabi ko sa mga players na yung kalaban may one-week layoff kaya pare-parehas na manganapa. In the second half, the boys responded well.”

The Stags, who were led by Raymart Escobido’s 18 points, suffered their fourth loss in six games.

Corteza is happy on Benilde’s balanced offense which is the main key for its impressive first round campaign.

“I think everyone sa team namin can score,” said Corteza. “Coach Charles (Tiu) also gives us the green light. Everyone the green light to shoot if it is open and pass it out if sobrang nakaka-pressure na and like if nado-double.”

“I think coach Charles has the confidence in everyone to make a play and score.”

Ranged against a desperate Cardinals side aching for secure the elusive first win, Corteza simply embraced what the foes thrown at them.

“We all know that Mapua is a very physical team. Tapos, they haven’t won a game pa. I think, our mindset coming into this game that most teams that don’t have a win yet is the most difficult at nakakatakot ilaro kasi everyone wants to win,” said Corteza.

“Coach Charles instructed us to play our own game and huwag magpapadala sa mga extra motions.”

The last season’s runner-up, the Cardinals stumbled to their eighth straight loss. Mapua will wrap up its first round campaign against Emilio Aguinaldo College, which has a 0-6 slate, in a duel of winless squads on Saturday.

Rence Nocum led the Cardinals with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Warren Bonifacio had a double-double outing of 14 points and 11 rebounds while Arvin Gamboa chipped in 11 points and seven boards.

The scores:

First game

Benilde (73) — Corteza 17, Oczon 14, Lepalam 10, Sangco 8, Gozum 8, Nayve 6, Carlos 4, Pasturan 3, Cullar 3, Marcos 0, Flores 0.
Mapua (64) — Nocum 15, Bonifacio 14, Gamboa 11, Salenga 7, Lacap 6, Pido 5, Garcia 4, Hernandez 2, Agustin 0, Parinas 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 18-11, 29-29, 43-32, 73-64

Second game

Letran (77) — Caralipio 13, Sangalang 11, Go 11, Paraiso 10, Monje 10, Yu 9, Reyson 5, Olivario 3, Tolentino 3, Santos 2, Bojorcelo 0, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.
SSC-R (69) — Escobido 18, Calahat 17, Desoyo 8, Villapando 7, Shanoda 7, Sumoda 5, Concha 3, Felebrico 2, Cosari 2, Altamirano 0, Aguilar 0, Una 0, Yambing 0.
Quarterscores: 14-17, 38-31, 58-44, 77-69