Blazers nail back-to-back wins

CEBU, Philippines —  The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers opened their campaign with back-to-back wins in the Cebu City Inter-Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament 2025 at the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) Gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Last Thursday evening, the Blazers shot down the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 69-62, thanks to a balanced attack led by Allen  Liwag and Ian Torres who combined for 25 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

They followed it up with an 87-62 demolition of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars on Friday morning.

This time, Justine Sanchez paced the  Blazers with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists followed by Jio Gonzaga with 14 points, six boards, and three dimes.

Shawn Grava and Fritz Gonzales each scored 13 but to no avail at the Jaguars sLumped to their second straight defeat.

On the other hand, the University of Perpetual Help Altas kick-started their title bid with a 75-53 rout of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.

John Aves and Josh Alcantara tallied an identical 12 markers for the Altas, who used an explosive third-quarter show to crush the Warriors.

Ahead by only five, 39-34, at halftime, the Altas dropped a 26-8 bomb in the third period to rip the game apart, 65-42. Their biggest lead though stood at 26 points, 71-45, midway in the final five minutes of the lopsided contest.

Kyle Maglinte fired 22 points but his singular offensive outburst went for naught as the Warriors suffered their first loss.