Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 11) — College of St. Benilde lived to fight another day after defeating Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game 2 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 finals, 76-71, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to force a sudden death match.
Newly minted Season 98 Most Valuable Player Will Gozum tallied 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Benilde, including the go-ahead layup with 55.4 seconds left before Migs Oczon knocked down a turnaround jumper with 20.2 ticks left in the final quarter to make it a two-possession game, 75-71.
Things got chippy in the first half when Letran’s Fran Yu was ejected for throwing an elbow on Mark Sangco’s face in a rebound play at the 5:29 mark of the second frame.
A 15-3 run by Benilde propelled the Taft-based squad to a 30-point outburst in the third period and hold a five-point edge heading into the payoff canto.
Miguel Corteza also had 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Oczon added 15 points and seven rebounds for Benilde.
Brent Paraiso paced Letran with 16 markers and seven boards.
Game 3 of the finals is scheduled on Dec. 18.
