ST. Benilde proved too much, too classy for University of Perpetual Help, 78-51, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan to remain as the only undefeated team in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
The Blazers jumped off to an 18-10 lead and never looked back as they coasted to their fourth straight win and remained alone atop the standings.
Versatile wing Justine Sanchez and two-way guard Tony Ynot sparked the early breakaway by each scoring 10 points by the halftime break. The two finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“I’m surprised we won by this much, honestly. Every game, you expect to win, but I didn’t think we would play this well. So give credit to the players, they really defended very well,” said coach Charles Tiu in his post-game interview.
The Blazers held the Altas to 26-percent shooting from the field, while clobbering them off the boards, 61-45, led by the nine boards of modern big Allen Liwag and eight each from Sanchez and Ynot.
They also outscored the opposition inside the paint, 42-30, and got a lot contributions from their bench compared to Perpetual's, 51-19.
St. Benilde held its biggest lead at 69-40 in the fourth quarter.
“I’ve been telling them all week-long that Perpetual is a very good team, greatly coached by coach Olsen [Racela]. So I’m very happy with the way they played today,” added Tiu of the Blazers’ 27-point win.
Suddenly-skidding Altas
Perpetual has now lost two in a row for an even 2-2 record.
Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz led the Altas with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, but only had five when Benilde broke away early in the first half.
Shawn Orgo was the only other player in double-figures for Perpetual with 10 points.
The scores:
BENILDE 78 - Sanchez 13, Ynot 12, Cometa 10, Ancheta 9, Torres 8, Eusebio 8, Serrano 7, Liwag 4, Morales 3, Sangco 2, Ondoa 2, Jarque 0, Turco 0, Oli 0, Carillo 0.
PERPETUAL 51 - Gojo Cruz 11, Orgo 10, Boral 9, Abis 4, Pizarro 4, J. Manuel 4, Pagaran 4, Nuñez 3, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 0, Cauguiran 0, Sevilla 0, Javier 0, Movida 0, B. Manuel 9.
Quarters: 18-10; 50-29; 69-40; 78-51.
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