CSB books place in AsiaBasket semis with blowout vs. Shawarma Shack

Miggy Corteza's consistent play keeps CSB undefeated in AsiaBasket. AsiaBasket

By Dugout Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR—A semifinal spot in the Sportsclick AsiaBasket International Championship was formally clinched on Thursday night after the College of Saint Benilde Blazers beat Shawarma Shack Pilipinas, 79-68, at the MABA Stadium here to stay unbeaten in Group A action.

CSB dominated Shawarma Shack in the first quarter and entered the second period ahead, 23-13.

Shawarma Shack slowed CSB a bit in the second quarter and entered halftime just down seven, 28-35.

CSB then pulled away for good in the second half, erupting for 29 points in the third quarter to enter the fourth with a 64-48 before extending it to as high as 21, 73-52, midway through the final frame.

Shawarma Shack finished the game strong but only to cut the winning margin to a more respectable one.

Miggy Corteza continued to make a case for the AsiaBasket Most Valuable Player award as he led CSB, now 3-0 in the standings, with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting, seven rebounds, and two assists.

Migs Oczon added 13 points, four rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Zenric Jarque and Robi Nayve each had nine markers off the bench.

CSB is set to play Harimau Malaysia on Friday night for a chance to sweep Group A play.

Mike Harry Nzeusseu towed Shawarma Shack, which dropped to 1-2, with 23 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Ken Bono, who has been Shawarma Shack’s consistent player offensively, was held scoreless in the first 3:27 of the game, missing both of his two attempts before he was subbed out for good.

In the other games, Sanzar took down MFT, 75-73, MBC Kirin routed the BGC Builders, 112-95, and Kuala Lumpur survived a double-overtime thriller to beat San Beda-Machateam, 108-106.

The showdown between the Aseel and the Red Lions saw Jalen Robinson finishing with a rare 50-20 of 55 points and 24 rebounds to upend Jacob Cortez's 33-point blast, which included clutch moments in the regulation and the first overtime.

Robinson caught fire late in the second overtime with five straight points including the go-ahead layup with 6.5 seconds left.

Robinson could have stretched the Aseel’s lead further only that he couldn’t finish the three-point play, but they eventually escaped as Cortez missed the potential game-winning three for the Red Lions in the final play.

Box Scores:

First Game

Sanzar 75 – Alanes 27, Taladua 15, Dimas 13, Zagala 7, Obuyes 6, Gican 3, Madera 2, Laminou 2, L. Lanzar 0, Kawamura 0, Moradas 0

MFT 73 – Montserrat 17, Mag-isa 13, San 9, Cabeguin 8, Villablanca 8, Abarcar 8, Monte 7, Papa 2, Semacio 1, Castellano 0, Cervantes 0

Quarterscores: 23-16, 38-34, 61-55, 75-73

Second Game

MBC Kirin 112 – Vedder Freeman 23, Lai 23, Dasom 17, JJ Lee 13, Bosango 8, Yek 6, Lim 5, Leong 5, Ja. Lee 4, Chin 4, Kiu 2, Chong 2

BGC Builders 95 – Cabahug 22, Sessay 21, Gozum 20, Buñag 16, Cawaling 5, Ceñal 4, Huntley 3, Moraga 2, Doligon 2, Rodriguez 0, Gonzales 0

Quarterscores: 36-31, 61-54, 93-74, 112-95

Third Game

CSB 79 – Corteza 18, Oczon 13, Zarque 9, Nayve 9, Turco 8, Carlos 6, Mara 5, Cajucom 4, Liwag 4, Marasigan 3, Marcos 0, Sangco 0

Shawarma Shack Pilipinas 68 – Nzeusseu 23, Deles 13, Rojo 9, Monteclaro 7, Buenavista 4, Esguerra 4, Macaballug 3, Rifarial 3, Pasculado 2, Bono 0, Aviso 0, Tomilloso 0

Quarterscores: 23-13, 35-28, 64-48, 79-68

Fourth Game

Kuala Lumpur 108 – Robinson 55, Sangalang 16, Gan 13, Wee 9, Yap 6, Soong 5, G. Tan 4, W. Tan 0

San Beda-Machateam 106 – Cortez 33, Cuntapay 22, Andrada 13, Visser 8, Payosing 7, Royo 7, Jopia 4, Gallego 4, Cometa 3, Tagle 3, Llarena 2, Jalbuena 0

Quarterscores: 21-22, 47-49, 65-69, 87-87, 96-96, 108-106

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