By Dugout Philippines
The CSB Blazers banked on a huge second half to turn back a seven-man Mapua Cardinals team, 87-76, in a crucial NCAA match at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Blazers went on a 7-0 start before the Cardinals began catching fire late in the first period to close the quarter trimming the lead to five, 15-10.
CSB looked to pull away again as it built an 11-point cushion, 34-23, midway in the second quarter.
But a 13-3 run by Mapua spanning the second and the third frames cut the lead to as low as one, 37-36.
The Blazers, however, outscored the Cardinals, 29-16, in the rest of the third to once again open a double-digit spread, 66-52, entering the fourth.
Fons Saavedra then fired crucial treys early in the payoff period to help stretch the CSB lead to 19, 79-60.
Mapua still had one last gasp as a 13-2 run cut its deficit to eight, 73-81, with two minutes left in the game.
But four straight points from Blazers sealed the win that moved them up to 11-6, temporarily tying the JRU Heavy Bombers for fourth place with one game left for each of them.
The Heavy Bombers are to face the San Sebastian Golden Stags later in the day.
Jonathan Grey led CSB with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Exe Biteng had a game-high 23 points for Mapua, which ended its season with four wins and 14 losses.
Box Scores:
CSB 87-Grey 19, Taha 18, Saavedra 13, Sinco 11, Romero 6, Bartolo 6, Ongteco 4, Jonson 2, Nayve 2, Argamino 2, Flores 2, Altamirano 2, Pajarillaga 0, Mercado 0, Deles 0
Mapua 76-Biteng 23, Serrano 17, Canaynay 12, Saitanan 11, Eriobu 8, Estrella 3, Cantos 2
Quarterscores: 15-10, 37-33, 66-52, 87-76
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