De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde made sure there was no collapse this time, putting away Jose Rizal University, 84-69, to regain its winning ways in the NCAA Season 100 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blazers, who were recently dealt a heartbreaking 73-71 loss by Arellano, was on point from the get-go despite missing the services of star Tony Ynot anew as they improved to 7-2 while the Heavy Bombers slipped to 3-6.
Ynot, who was averaging 13.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over their first seven games, missed their game against the Chiefs but was inserted back in today’s game. However, he only saw just 22 seconds of action in this one.
But the rest of the squad stepped up big as they ended their first round on a high note.
Even with Ynot out, the Benilde backcourt did not skip a beat with Jhomel Ancheta dropping a career-high 17 points alongside five rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Gab Cometa churned out 15 markers, two boards, three swats, and two dimes as the Blazers secured the top spot at the end of first round.
Team captain Mark Sangco had a double-double outing of 12 points and 10 rebounds while two other Blazers — Allen Liwag and Justine Sanchez — also finished with 12 markers each.
Benilde stepped on the gas right from the get-go, cruising to a 55-29 lead after a dominant first half.
But the Heavy Bombers unleashed a better showing in the first half, outscoring the league-leading Blazers in both the third and fourth quarters, including a strong 22-14 performance in the final canto.
JRU was able to pull to within 13 points late in the payoff period but Benilde had enough cushion to complete the victory.
"I think the guys are still gaining more experience 'pag mga endgame na crucial. I think these games are good for us," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"Hopefully sila (Ian) Torres, (Jhomel) Ancheta, Gab (Cometa) will have more in-game composure. That's something we really have to clean up."
[I think the guys are still gaining more experience in the endgame when it's crucial. I think these games are good for us. Hopefully, Torres, Ancheta, Gab will have more in-game composure. That's something we really have to clean up.]
Joshua Guiab led JRU with a game-high 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting, with 11 of those points coming in the fourth period. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.
The scores:
Benilde 84 - Ancheta 17, Cometa 15, Liwag 12, Sangco 12, Sanchez 12, Ondoa 9, Torres 5, Jarque 2, Eusebio 0, Cajucom 0, Ynot 0, Serrano 0.
JRU 69 - Guiab 24, Raymundo 12, Pangilinan 12, Argente 5, Mosqueda 5, Bernardo 3, De Jesus 2, Panapanaan 2, Garcia 2, Ferrer 2, Ramos 0, Benitez 0, De Leon 0, Sarmiento 0, Barrera 0.
Quarters: 27-17, 55-29, 70-47, 84-69.
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—JMB, GMA Integrated News
