De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde finally got one against its past tormentor Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-55, to remain unblemished in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Blazers, who were on a three-game losing streak against the Generals since Season 98, have improved to 3-0 to regain solo leadership behind another steady performance from Tony Ynot and crucial contribution from Justine Sanchez.
Ynot led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Sanchez had his best game by far with 14 markers, six boards, one dime, one swat, and one block as Benilde blazed to its third straight win.
EAC, however, was sent reeling to its second loss in three games.
"We prepare for every game. We coach the guys hard, we coach them to a different standard because we want to be an excellent team so we can never be satisfied with how we play," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"Tony and Justine, they stepped up and played well even without Allen having his best offensive game."
Benilde was on a roll right from the get-go, establishing a 41-32 halftime lead with Ynot and Sanchez each pouring 10 points before the Blazers turned that lead to as big 23 in the fourth quarter.
The wards of Tiu, who also dominated Mapua University and defending champion San Beda University in their first two games, never relinquished that advantage to strengthen their case as one of the title contenders this centennial offering.
Benilde also had another revelation in Anton Eusebio, whose back-to-back triples early in the payoff period sent them to a 66-48 cushion as he finished with nine points. Former General Allen Liwag made seven markers and 15 boards against his old team.
Team captain King Gurtiza paced EAC with 13 points while Harvey Pagsanjan chipped in 10 markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
