SAINT BENILDE got some semblance of vengeance against its finals tormentor after handing Mapua a 75-65 loss as the NCAA Season 101 returned to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday.
While the Blazers blew an early 18-point lead as the Cardinals came storming back in the second half, the boys of coach Charles Tiu restored order by focusing on their defense - limiting Mapua to just a single field goal in the pay-off period and just seven points.
Tony Ynot provided all the right answers for the green-and-white as he dropped 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists - starting off hot and keeping Benilde afloat amid the rough second half.
“Yeah, I'm glad that he finally started hitting shots,” said head coach Charles Tiu. “I think he's been pressing himself. Siyempre, he really wants to perform to his capabilities, and he just hasn't been himself.”
“He's been playing in one leg, pero ito today, bumalik na.”
The Blazers opened like a house on fire, starting off with an 18-0 run behind Ynot's 11 points.
But the Cardinals slowly crept back in before the Blazers shaped up on the defensive end in the fourth quarter to escape with the tough win.
Making this win bittersweet for the Blazers is that they lost reigning MVP Allen Liwag who left late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.
Still, Liwag exited with 12 points and 10 boards to his name.
“Allen got hurt, so obviously we lost one of our bigger pieces. And we said, we just have to make them beat us," Tiu said.
“But, you know, to us, we just had to get one stop at a time. And kahit di na kami umiskor, but obviously our offense needs to get better."
Marc Cuenco led the Cardinals with 14 markers and seven rebounds, flanked by EJ Sapasap and Escamis, who had 13 and 11, respectively. The defending champs dropped to 4-5.
The Scores:
BENILDE 75 - Ynot 25, Liwag 12, Cajucom 8, Sanchez 6, Moore 6, Morales 4, Eusebio 4, Torres 3, Umali 3, Celis 2, Cometa 2, Oli 0, Ancheta 0
MAPUA 65 - Cuenco 14, Sapasap 13, Escamis 11, Concepcion 8, Gonzales 8, Nitura 7, Reyes 4, Igliane 0, Gulapa 0, Recto 0, Ryan 0, Lazarte 0, Callangan 0
Quarters: 19-30, 36-48, 58-64, 65-75
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