| 85th NCAA Standings | W | L |
| San Sebastian | 6 | 0 |
| JRU | 6 | 0 |
| San Beda | 6 | 1 |
| Letran | 4 | 3 |
| St. Benilde | 4 | 4 |
| Arellano | 2 | 4 |
| EAC | 2 | 5 |
| Mapua | 1 | 5 |
| Perpetual | 1 | 5 |
| AUF | 1 | 6 |
Jeff Morial made his 23rd birthday a memorable one leading College of Saint Benilde to a grueling 117-107 triple overtime victory over guest team Arellano University in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City last July 31.
As a follow-up to his 32-point performance in the loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College last Monday, Morial drained 31 points while grabbing 10 rebounds to help the undermanned Blazers improve to an even 4-4 record for fifth place in the standings.
But the 6-1 native of Bukidnon made the big baskets during the dying seconds of regulation and in the first overtime period to put the Taft-based cagers back on the winning track.
“It was a nice way to celebrate his (Morial) birthday, with a great effort and a victory,” said Benilde mentor Richard del Rosario, who involved in the league’s longest game in recent memory.
The Blazers won despite the absence of three players. Big man Robbie Manalac missed his second straight game with a gout on his right foot while Chuck Dalanon and Jan Tan served their one-game ban for entering the court during an altercation last Monday.
It also led to sanctions of three NABRO referees that officiated that said game. Ric Santos was officially banned for the rest of the season while Zaldy Sagum and John Estrada were indefinitely suspended by the league.
The absence of their three key players came big games from Neil Johnston, rookie Ian dela Paz, MC Abolucion and starting point guard Angelo Montecastro.
Johnston had 21 points, including a go-ahead basket with roughly two minutes left in the third OT that put CSB up for good, 106-105. Dela Paz and Abolucion each scored 11 while the lefty Montecastro shrugged off a thigh injury to finish with 10 points.
Benilde survived an incredible offensive display from Arellano’s Gio Ciriacruz and Adrian Celada, who both registered 29 points. But Circiacruz was one of six Chiefs who fouled out of the game, a situation that the Blazers took advantage of.
“I told the players to overcome adversity, they responded to the challenge,” said del Rosario. “We’re achieving our small goals and I think that’s enough for us now.”
However, it was Morial who responded to the challenge when needed the most. With CSB trailing 79-74 with 30 seconds left in regulation, he hit consecutive triples, including one that tied the game at 80-all with three ticks to go.
In the first overtime, he drove past Rogelio Apostol and scored with 12 seconds left that forced a second extra session at 88-all.
And when CSB was pulling away from the pesky Chiefs, Morial sealed the deal with his fourth trey for a 113-105 lead with 26.7 seconds remaining.
Benilde actually trailed by 11 points early in the first half behind Ciriacruz’s 15 points in that stretch before a second half run put them in front seconds into the fourth quarter.
The Blazers try to conclude the first round on a winning note when they battle unbeaten Jose Rizal University on August 7.
Earlier, CSB-La Salle Greenhills scored another victory after thrashing Arellano, 88-65, in the juniors’ division.
It was the Junior Blazers’ second consecutive win for an even 4-4 record and remained in fifth place behind league-leader Letran, San Beda, JRU and defending champion San Sebastian.
The scores:
Juniors
CSB-LSGH 88 – Flores 26, Sta. Maria 13, Pumaren 11, Vergara 11, Sy 9, Carlos 6, Calaquian 5, Sayson 4, Tanhueco 3, Lee 0, Diaz 0, Sollano 0, Miguel 0.
Arellano 65 – Pagayunan 20, Caperal 13, Cruz 7, De Leon 7, Coronel 6, Tolentino 4, Gurrobat 3, Guzman 2, Regalado 2, Perucho 1.
Quarters: 23-17; 49-31; 68-46; 88-65.
Seniors
St. Benilde 117 – Morial 31, Johnston 21, dela Paz 11, Abolucion 11, Montecastro 10, Manlapaz 8, Wong 7, Urra 7, Umlas 5, de Guzman 5, Argamino 1
Arellano 107 – G. Ciriacruz 29, Celada 29, I. Ciriacruz 13, Reducto 10, Apostol 8, Anquilo 5, Agustin 5, Dimla 3, Rivera 2, Miranda 2, Virtudazo 1, Tayongtong 0, Catapang 0
Quarters: 16-24; 36-40; 56-57; 80-80 (OT); 88-88 (2OT); 99-99 (3OT); 117-107
