COLLEGE of Saint Benilde repeated over San Sebastian, 91-85. to solidify its hold of top spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Tony Ynot was out due to a left ankle injury he sustained in the previous game, but the Blazers were able to overcome his absence, as coach Charles Tiu dug deep to his roster.

“We wanted to give other guys a chance because Tony is not playing. It’s nice to reward them once in a while,” Tiu told broadcaster GTV.

“So far, a lot of them were able to deliver. Thankfully. We are trying to give our guys some opportunities.”

Ian Torres was one of the reserves shone for last season’s third placers, contributing 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Benilde rose to a league-best 8-2 card, just above defending champion San Beda’s 7-3 slate.

Earlier, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta moved a game behind Letran in the race for the last Final Four slot with a wire-to-wire 71-61 win.

The Altas ended a string of four narrow losses, which started with a triple overtime loss to the Knights in the first round to improve to 5-6.

Letran, meanwhile, absorbed its second straight defeat to fall to 6-5.

Allen Liwag led the Blazers with 18 points and six rebounds while Matthew Oli added 12 points.

The Stags have lost eight in a row after a 2-0 start.

It didn’t helped that Jimboy Estrada ejected in the final 2:45 for a disqualifying foul with the Knights trailing, 52-65.

Christian Pagaran led the way for Perpetual with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Estrada had 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Letran.

The scores:

First game

Perpetual (71) – Pagaran 19, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 8, Orgo 8, Pizarro 6, Boral 5, Manuel 4, Montemayor 3, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1.
Letran (61) – Estrada 14, Montecillo 11, Santos 10, Cuajao 8, Monje 7, Javillonar 4, Delfino 3, Nunag 2, Go 2, Miller 0, Baliling 0, Tagotongan 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 41-31, 59-48, 71-61

Second game

St. Benilde (91) – Liwag 18, Torres 13, Oli 12, Ancheta 9, Sanchez 9, Cometa 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 5, Cajucom 3, Morales 2, Eusebio 0, Arciaga 0, Galas 0.
SSC-R (85) – Are 29, Gabat 21, Felebrico 12, Aguilar 6, Re. Gabat 6, Suico 5, Ricio 4, Escobido 2, Pascual 0, Barroga 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 42-38, 68-65, 91-85.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado