The new boys on the block delivered for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde as it gutted out a 78-65 win over Mapua University in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blazers went on a scoring spree in the final moments after trailing for most of the game to go 1-0 in a season seen as the strongest chance for the Blazers to get the title while sending the Cardinals to a 0-1 slate.
Allen Liwag, who previously suited up for Emilio Aguinaldo College, led the charge in the come-from-behind victory after sizzling with a double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds together with three blocks and one assist while former San Beda star Gab Cometa chimed in with 17 markers, four boards, and two dimes.
Liwag and Cometa steered the furious 18-2 closing run that the Blazers unloaded in game that spelled doom for the Cardinals, who were holding the lead until Jhomel Ancheta tied things up at 63-all halfway through the fourth.
Liwag then scored on a putback, giving Benilde its first lead since a 2-0 advantage in the first quarter, before another transferee in Tony Ynot took care of the finishing kick.
The spitfire guard converted four of their last 11 points, including a steal off an inbound pass from Clint Escamis that led to a layup that sent Benilde to a 73-65 cushion. Liwag then nailed a one-handed floater and completed a three-point play to seal the win.
Ynot finished with an all-around statline of nine points, eight assists, four steals, and five rebounds while Ancheta chipped in nine markers as well.
The win gave Benilde some huge momentum heading to its next game against defending champion San Beda on Tuesday while Mapua looks to bounce back against EAC on Wednesday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
