By MARK REY MONTEJO
Ian Torres displayed steely nerves as College of St. Benilde forged a do-or-die clash against San Beda after notching a 77-75 Game 2 win in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday, Dec. 5.
After Nygel Gonzales missed a potential game-winning layup for the Red Lions with 7.8 seconds left, the Blazers got their own opportunity after Allen Liwag securing the rebound and quickly dished it off to Torres.
From there, Torres went for an attack before he settled for a floater that ultimately beat the buzzer.
Torres’ heroics helped the Taft-based squad force a thrilling Game 3 duel against San Beda this Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It also ended the Blazers’ drought against the Red Lions who bested them in their past three encounters this season.
The 6-foot guard finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Tony Ynot topscored off 19 points on top of seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
“Napapagod po ako pero sabi ko sa [mga] coaches, ako na bahala,” Torres said.
“Nagkataon lang and nakita ko na one second na lang. Sabi ko na lang, bahala na si Batman,” he quipped.
Also helping Benilde cause was Justine Sanchez who posted a double-double effort of 14 points and 10 rebounds which went with three assists and one block. Allen Liwag, who hauled 15 rebounds, and Shawn Umali added nine and seven points, respectively.
Gonzales, for his part, chipped in 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Bryan Sajonia and Jomel Puno added 16 and 14 points in a losing cause for San Beda.
Meanwhile, Agjanti Miller was sidelined due to a knee contusion – a big loss for San Beda – as he dropped a 29-point bomb in their 91-72 demolition of Benilde in Game 1.
The scores:
BENILDE 77 – Ynot 19, Torres 17, Sanchez 14, Liwag 9, Umali 7, Ancheta 6, Celis 5, Gaspay 0, Cajucom 0, Morales 0, Cometa 0, Oli 0, Galas 0.
SAN BEDA 75 – Gonzales 17, Sajonia 16, Puno 14, Estacio 7, Celzo 6, Lina 4, Reyes 4, Andrada 3, Calimag 2, Etulle 2, Bonzalida 0.
Quarters: 23-24, 36-42, 60-58, 77-75.
