ST. Benilde bucked the absence of several of its key players as it walloped Letran, 95-80, for its second straight win in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 tournament on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
Justine Sanchez fired 17 of his 23 points in the second half, including a dagger three pointer with 1:02 remaining in the game to put the lights out on the Knights and jumpstart an 11-0 finishing kick for the Blazers who improved to 2-1 for the tournament.
It was a big win for the Blazers who played minues reigning MVP Allen Liwag, Joshua Cajucom and Gab Cometa who were all dealing with flu.
Letran, likewise, missed the services of Jimboy Estrada (flu) and Jun Roque (shoulder).
"We were up seven but we made some not-so-smart plays, fouling a shooter, giving up turnovers but at least we were able to get stops. I think that was the difference of the game," St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu said.
"Credit to the guys. Half the team's sick. We were missing a lot of key players, although Letran were also missing key guys but it's a good win. One of our better games this season so we'll take it."
Matthew Oli started off Benilde's hot start in the first half, as the Blazers led by as many as 15, 34-19 early in the second quarter.
The Knights' rookie duo of Titing Manalili and Chad Gammad, on the other hand, fueled Letran's fight back as it even led by six, 58-52, midway near the end of the third period before the Blazers took control of the game for good.
Oli finished with 20 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field while Jhommel Ancheta added 16 points and two steals. Shawn Umali had his best game in a Benilde unifporm with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The game also saw the return of Tony Ynot, last season's mythical team member. He played nearly 17 minutes and missed all of his six shots, but still was key in playmaking for the Blazers with five assists in the game.
Manalili continued his stellar play for the Knights with 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while Gammad added 18 points, anchored on four threes. Deo Cuajao chipped in 15 points but that wasn't enough as the Knights fell to 0-3.
The scores:
ST. BENILDE 95 - Sanchez 23, Oli 20, Ancheta 16, Umali 13, Moore 8, Celis 6, Gaspay 4, Torres 4, Ynot 1, Morales 0, Galas 0, Eusebio 0
LETRAN 80 - Manalili 23, Gammad 18, Cuajao 15, Santos 7, Buensalida 7, Omega 5, Gazzingan 4, Tapenio 1, Rosilio 0, Yusi 0, Silorio 0
Quarters: 31-18, 44-45, 65-62, 95-80
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