By MARK REY MONTEJO
College of Saint Benilde pulled off a ‘great escape’ act and ousted defending champion Mapua, 74-72, to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Friday, Nov. 28.
Ian Torres, Shawn Umali and Allen Liwag took turns in delivering the big hits to help the Blazers create a much-needed separation that proved big enough to cushion Mapua’s last-gasp rally.
Just when CSB thought it was already out of the woods when it took a 72-64 lead in the final minutes, Mapua came alive, unloading an 8-2 spurt in its effort to snatch the win away from the Blazers.
But Mapua self-destructed.
The Blazers collectively heaved a sigh of relief as JC Recto botched two crucial free throws that could have sent the game to an extra period
The victory arranged Benilde a best-of-three semis duel against San Beda, which scored a 91-68 rout of Lyceum in the other quarterfinal duel.
Torres led Benilde after posting 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Raffy Celis and Tony Ynot added 18 and 11 points, respectively.
Before getting fouled out, Allen Liwag flirted with a double-double as he uncorked nine points and nine rebounds on top of two blocks, and one steal.
Recto, on the other hand, had 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Mark Cuenco and Cyril Gonzales chipped in 17 and 11 points.
They, however, sorely missed the services of star guard Clint Escamis who was ejected at the ninth minute mark of the fourth due to a disqualifying foul.
The Blazers-Red Lions matchup is a sort of a Final Four rematch after also crossing paths in Season 100 where the twice-to-beat holder CSB rolled past the Red Lions, 79-63, en route to the championship round.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letrán reaffirmed its mastery by fending off Arellano’s late rally, 77-69, to complete the semis cast.
Coming off an 87-78 win that forced a decider, the Knights carried their momentum into the do-or-die match, unleashing a third-quarter surge to seize a 50-36 lead. And when the Chiefs cut the deficit to just four, 67-71, Letran answered with a timely 6-0 burst in the fourth to put the game away.
Letran now sets up a best-of-three semis showdown against Perpetual starting Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jimboy Estrada topscored for the Intramuros-based squad with 19 points, while Kevin Santos posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Jun Roque chipped in 11 points.
Manalili, who spearheaded Letran’s counter in the payoff period, scored just three points but he demonstrated his playmaking prowess of eight assists.
T-Mc Ongotan dazzled anew with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Anjord Cabotaje logged 18 points which all went for naught as Arellano concluded its promising season with a 7-6 slate.
The scores (Benilde-Mapua):
ST. BENILDE 74 – Celis 18, Torres 12, Ynot 11, Liwag 9, Sanchez 6, Umali 5, Ancheta 5, Gaspay 4, Morales 2, Cajucom 2, Oli 0.
MAPÚA 72 – Recto 18, Cuenco 17, Gonzales 11, Sapasap 7, Nitura 4, Concepcion 4, Delos Reyes 4, Lazarte 4, Escamis 3, Igliane 0, Abdulla 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 47-31, 60-53, 74-72.
The scores (Letran-Arellano):
LETRAN 77 – Estrada 19, Santos 15, Roque 11, Buensalida 10, Omega 8, Montecillo 6, Cuajao 5, Manalili 3, Gammad 0
ARELLANO 69 – Ongotan 23, Cabotaje 18, Libang 9, Geronimo 6, Vinoya 5, Valencia 4, Demetria 4, Camay 0, Abiera 0, Hernal 0, Borromeo 0, Acop 0
Quarters: 17-20, 39-31, 62-54, 77-69
