RETOOLED ST. BENILDE COMES ALIVE LATE TO STUN MAPUA

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde bucked a slow start and then made the right plays when it mattered for a 78-65 comeback win over Mapua in Saturday’s main game of the NCAA Season 100 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tony Ynot was the end game spark plug for the Blazers, who pulled together a telling 11-0 run in the homestretch to pull off the victory and live up to their billing as one of the season’s top title contenders.

Allen Liwag paced St. Benilde with a huge double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds, Gab Cometa added 17 points, while Ynot finished with nine points, five rebounds, and eight assists.

"It was a good grind out win. We didn’t play our best pero maganda na maaga pa lang nasubukan na kami," said winning coach Charles Tiu. 

"We were down pretty much the whole game. Buti na lang, give credit to the guys. They doubled up the effort and they found a way to win."

The Cardinals dictated the tempo for the most part, taking an early 21-12 lead before settling for a 37-32 halftime lead.

They were still on top 63-60 on a three pointer by reigning MVP Clint Escamis, before the Blazers made their move and went on a huge scoring tear going home.

"He’s obviously one of our leaders and I trust him a lot. He’s had a lot of experience. And at the end of the game, you want your best players to make the best decision for you," said Tiu of the 5-foot-11 Ynot, a BSBA marketing management.

"He didn’t have it going offensively. Medyo nahiya pa siya. But eight assists for him is a great number for your shooting guard to be able to make plays like that." 

Tony Ynot made some critical plays down the stretch for St. Benilde PHOTO: GMA / NCAA Philippines

Ynot also added four steals for the Blazers, who will be up next against defending champion San Beda on Tuesday.

"They really gave us a tough schedule. Two of the teams in the finals (last season) kaagad ang pinasubo sa amin," said Tiu.

The scores

St. Benilde 78 – Liwag 23. Cometa 17, Ynot 9, Ancheta 9, Sanchez 6, Sangco 4, Eusebio 3, Morales 3, Cajucom 2, Torres 2, Turco 0, Ondoa 0, Serrano 0.

Mapua 65 – Escamis 16, Cuenco 9, Mangubat 9, Hubila 9, Jabonete 5, Agemenyi 5, Ryan 4, Fermin 4, Igilane 2, Abdullah 2, Recto 0, Garcia 0, Bancale 0, Concepcion 0.

Quarters: 14-21; 32-37; 55-55; 78-65.

2024-09-07T14:15:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd