MANILA — College of Saint Benilde poured its might over Mapua, 85-72, to solidify its lead in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre Wednesday.

The Blazers banked on the Cardinals’ offensive miscues on the homestretch to improve their league’s best record at 8-2.

Previously, CSB absorbed a humiliating, 75-80, loss to bottom-dweller Emilio Aguinaldo College as such, the Taft-based squad made sure that there won’t be a repeat of last Sunday’s reversal.

Will Gozum produced a career-high 25 points with eight rebounds and four assists, while Miggy Corteza chipped in 22 points and eight boards for the Blazers.

After a scoreless first three periods, Migs Oczon contributed six points in Benilde’s 24-8 fourth quarter.

Warren Bonifacio led Mapua with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals while JJ Pido contributed 16 points, six boards, two assists, and two blocks.

The Cardinals suffered their ninth loss in 11 games.

The Blazers went on a telling 19-1 run to put the game beyond recall at 80-65 with less than three minutes left to play.

The scores:

Benilde (85) — Gozum 25, Corteza 22, Cullar 8, Nayve 6, Oczon 6, Sangco 5, Carlos 5, Pasturan 2, Lepalam 2, Marcos 2, Flores 2, Davis 0.
Mapua (72) — Bonifacio 21, Pido 13, Agustin 12, Hernandez 10, Nocum 6, Cuenco 5, Soriano 3, Salenga 2, Mercado 0, Lacap 0, Garcia 0, Parinas 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 40-42, 61-64, 85-72