Blazers seize early lead in Pinoyliga Next Man cUP

Games Saturday (Enderun Colleges, Taguig City)

2 p.m. - San Sebastian vs New Era

4 p.m. - Lyceum vs Enderun

6 p.m. - St. Dominic vs Mapua

Games Sunday (Enderun Colleges, Taguig City)

12 p.m. - UP vs Guang Ming

2 p.m. - Ateneo vs New Era

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde displayed its might following a pair of big wins during the weekend as the Blazers grabbed early solo lead in the standings in Season 3 of the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP.

CSB relied on new recruits Shawn Umali and Matthew Jucom in beating defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines and San Beda University last week to go up 2-0 in the annual tournament.

Jucom, a shooter who previously played for De La Salle University, scored 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field including 4-of-8 from three-point territory in CSB’s impressive 87-52 win against UP last Saturday at the Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig City.

SJ Moore, a high-flying forward who also took the transfer portal from University of Santo Tomas to St. Benilde during the off-season, likewise had a solid game with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Ernest Daja and Victoria Nathan added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Paolo Galotera and Polo Dava led the Fighting Maroons with 10 points apiece.

The following day, Umali top-scored with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting- including 4-of-8 from the trifecta as the Blazers defeated the Red Lions 91-87. Umali also collected nine boards and four dimes in 26 minutes of action.

Jucom and Gene Carillo contributed 16 points each for CSB, and got 12 points from Ian Torres.

St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu said that they are using the tournament to give their new recruits an opportunity to showcase their talents before the coaching staff decide whether or not to include any of them to the main team that will prepare for the NCAA Season 101 this year.

CSB is hoping to bounce back from a heartbreaking campaign in Season 100 after the Blazers were swept in the three-game Finals series by the Mapua University Cardinals last December.

“We’ll see in this tournament, and in tournaments similar to this, who will make it (to Team A). We’ll evaluate everyone’s performance,” said Tiu.

On the other hand, Mapua won its first game after losing its opener as the Cardinals downed the Ateneo Blue Eagles 100-53.

Five players were in double figure scoring for Mapua as Ivan Lazarte fired 16 points, Joemaiko Gulapa had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Drex de los Reyes also had 14 points, Cyril Gonzales 13 and EJ Sapasap 10.

St. Dominic College of Asia and Guang Ming College also won their respective games last Saturday, as the former downed San Sebastian College-Recoletos 78-61, while the latter defeated Enderun Colleges 76-70.

Action continues this weekend at the Enderun Colleges in Taguig City as San Sebastian meets New Era University at 2 p.m., Lyceum of the Philippines University plays Enderun at 4 p.m. and Mapua takes on St. Dominic at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday, UP clashes with Guang Ming at 12 p.m., while Ateneo collides against New Era 2 p.m. at the same venue.