COLLEGE of St. Benilde kept a stronghold on the top seed of the NCAA Season 100 after warding off a gritty San Beda squad, 70-62, in the tailend of the elimination round last Wednesday at the Filoil Ecooil Center in San Juan.
The Blazers went on a 14-4 run starting in the eight-minute mark of the final quarter before Jhomel Ancheta put the exclamation point after sinking a dagger three to push the Blazers to a comfortable 68-62 lead with 44.4 seconds left.
That three pointer capped an electric game for Ancheta who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds as they swept the defending champions in the centennial season.
“Kumpyansa ako kasi natalo namin sila ng first round and nakakuha kami ng clutch dun.” Ancheta said.
“Di ko inexpect na ako ulit yung makakatira. Ayun lang, galing sa play.”
The two powerhouses battled neck-and-neck, refusing to give an inch as the game swung back-and-forth with 17 lead changes.
Bismarck Lina and James Payosing led the Lions’ late charge after Lina scored consecutive baskets followed by Payosing’s crucial three and successful charities to pull ahead of the Blazers by four points in the final 7:12.
Unfortunately for San Beda, Benilde responded with that backbreaking rally as they improved to 14-3 and drew closer to claiming the top seed of the tournament once again.
Liwag finished with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot pitched with 13 and 10 markers respectively.
Lina led the Lions with 17 points and five rebounds while James Payosing wound up with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds as they dropped to 10-7, though already assured of the third seed in the tournament.
The scores:
SAINT BENILDE 70 – Ancheta 18, Liwag 14, Sanchez 13, Ynot 10, Torres 5, Cometa 4, Morales 3, Sangco 3, Oli 0, Eusebio 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0, Ondoa 0
SAN BEDA 62 – Lina 17, Payosing 12, Andrada 10, Estacio 7, Sajonia 6, Celzo 4, Songcuya 2, Puno 2, Gonzales 2, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Royo 0, Sollano 0, Tagle 0
Quartes: 19-20, 34-31, 52-51, 70-62
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