Rookies keep Benilde ablaze

MANILA, Philippines - St. Benilde went to its rookies when veteran Carlo Lastimosa struggled as it hacked out an 80-68 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo in a fight-marred contest at the close of its first round elims campaign in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Jonathan Grey and Mark Romero fired 17 and 12 points, respectively, in a solid backup to Lastimosa, who came into the game with a 15-point average but groped for form and finished with 10 points.

The win was Blazers’ fourth against five losses, keeping them in step with the idle Lyceum Pirates at fourth.

“I keep emphasizing to my players that this is not just a Carlo Lastimosa team because I want them to realize that we need the other players to step up to have a chance this season,” said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario.

It was St. Benilde’s best start since then coach Caloy Garcia guided the Taft-based school to a hot 3-0 start before dropping its next four games in the first round of the 2005 season.

“This is the first time that we’re still in contention after the first round and I’m happy for the school and the team because we really worked hard to prepare this season,” said del Rosario.

The game, however, turned ugly early in the third quarter when St. Benilde’s Jan Tan elbowed EAC’s Elyzer Paguia in the neck, prompting the latter to retaliate with a punch.

They were subsequently ejected with both the 6-6 Tan and Paguia to be meted an automatic one-game suspension for their misconduct.

With Tan out, Grey took charge and plucked a game-high 12 rebounds as the Blazers dominated the Generals off the boards, 49-33.

In the other game, Arellano U also stayed in the hunt as it held off Perpetual Help, 71-65, to improve to 3-6.

Adrian Celada exploded with 23 points, including 17 in the second half as the Chiefs kept the Altas at bay.

The Altas fell to their eighth loss against a win while the Generals took their sixth defeat against three wins.