At A Glance
- College of St. Benilde bucked a slow start and wrapped up its season on a high note after defeating Lyceum, 93-83, to become the first-ever third place team in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
College of St. Benilde bucked a slow start and wrapped up its season on a high note after defeating Lyceum, 93-83, to become the first-ever third place team in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Blazers leaned on their graduating players in Robi Nayve and Miggy Corteza, who both spearheaded the offense with the help of Joshua Cajucom to put themselves ahead 66-51 going into the final frame, an insurmountable lead that proved too much for the Pirates who played without Enoch Valdez and JM Bravo.
Benilde head coach Charles Tiu was grateful for the great showing of his team in their final game of the season.
“We’ll take it, we would’ve been fourth under normal circumstances but still we have another game. I like playing basketball and being on basketball, so at least I told the young guys they could show me those trying to get a spot for next year,” Tiu stressed.
“People are still watching you and it's a good chance to represent our school and it’s nice to win third [place],” he added.
Nayve topscored for the Taft squad after listing 14 of his 18 points in the second half on top of five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Cajucom backstopped him with 15 points.
The Randy Alcantara-mentored Lyceum was ahead in the first two quarters, with the collective efforts from John Barba, Alvin Penafiel and Julian Culanay giving them the early momentum.
But Benilde found the rhythm as Nayve and Cajucom delivered the goods in the following quarters.
Mclaude Guadana and Penafiel tried to carry the Pirates back but still weren't enough as the Blazers preserved their lead until the dying seconds.
Guadana chalked up 16 while Penafiel backed him up with 15 in a losing cause.
Migs Oczon also took his time to watch his former team after signing with Ulsan Hyundai in the Korean Basketball League. He skipped his two remaining eligible playing years for Benilde.
The scores:
Battle for Third
CSB 93- Nayve 18, Cajucom 15, Corteza 14, Marasigan 8, Carlos 7, Gozum 7, Sangco 6, Marcos 5, Morales 4, Lepalam 4, Arciaga 2, Jarque 2, Turco 1, Mara 0, Jalalon 0
LPU 83- Guadana 16, Penafiel 15, Montano 9, Umali 8, Barba 8, Cunanan 7, Culanay 6, Versoza 5, Aviles 4, Moralejo 3, Saure 2, Villegas 0
Quarterscores: 24-22; 43-41; 71-56; 93-83