Blazers, Cardinals secure play-in spots

MANILA, Philippines — Will Gozum showed he has recovered from a sore foot that slowed him down in the last couple of games and delivered a strong performance to carry College of St. Benilde to a 71-62 win over San Sebastian and into  the play-in phase of the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym yesterday.

Gozum powered his way to 18 points including some clutch baskets late and topped it with game-highs 12 rebounds, four blocks and three steals as the Blazers nailed a spot in the magic six with a 5-3 record.

“This is really a big win for us because we’re coming off two losses and all of us were in the same page, mentality to win and make it to the play-in, and hopefully the Final Four,” said the former NCAA high school MVP awardee.

Idle Mapua (5-2) also gained a sure play-in berth on St. Benilde’s victory.

JM Calma led his team with 25 points but his effort wasn’t enough to prevent the Stags from dropping to 3-5.

Earlier, Renzo Navarro took charge in the fourth quarter as Lyceum survived a monster effort by Arellano U’s Justin Arana, squeezing out a 70-66 win.

Navarro poured in all his 10 points in the final period to lift the Pirates to their second win in seven outings, thus, keeping them in the race for a play-in seat.

Enoch Valdez fired a team-high 17 points while Mclaude Guadana scattered 12 points but it was the LPU skipper who shone the brightest with big plays at crunch time.

Navarro scored eight of his squad’s last 10 points.