No Tony Ynot, no problem.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde flaunted its deep backcourt rotation in gutting out a 91-85 win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 100 on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Despite missing the services of injured Ynot, the Blazers still got the job done against the same team that almost beat them in the first round and improved to 8-2.
Aware of the need to step up, Ian Torres came off the bench and produced 13 points, eight of which he dropped in the crucial fourth quarter, while also grabbing four rebounds and three assists while Oli chipped in 12 markers, two boards, and one dime on an unusual starting role.
The Stags, on the other hand, received their eighth straight losses to go 2-8.
"I really liked the way Ian Torres played today, I thought he did a good job organizing the team. Obviously, he made some big shots for us," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"Ancheta was also solid...I really liked the way Gab played today. That's the luxury of having some solid guards we can go to."
The Blazers couldn't put away the Stags for good despite holding the lead throughout the match, but Torres buried back-to-back triples to send Benilde to a 77-67 cushion early in the fourth.
However, the Stags ran out of manpower in their comeback attempt with big men Tristan Felebrico and Ian Suico getting fouled out in the cruicka minutes.
Still, they staged a last-gasp fightback behind the explosive hands of Paeng Are, whose three-point play capped off a 7-0 run that trimmed the deficit to six, 87-81, with 1:46 to go in the fourth.
Gab Cometa and Justine Sanchez, though, scored the last four points for Benilde amidst a familiar full-court press from the Stags.
Sanchez, Jhomel Ancheta, and Zenric Jarque all chipped in nine points as the Blazers created more separation at the standings.
Are paced San Sebsatian with 29 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists while Ralph Gabat's season-high 21 points went for naught.
Scores:
Benilde 91 – Liwag 18, Torres 13, Oli 12, Sanchez 9, Ancheta 9, Jarque 9, Cometa 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 5, Cajucom 3, Morales 2, Eusebio 0, Arciaga 0, Galas 0.
San Sebastian 85 – Are 29, L. Gabat 21, Felebrico 12, Aguilar 6, R. Gabat 6, Suico 5, Ricio 4, Escobido 2, Pascual 0, Barroga 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 42-38, 68-65, 91-85.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
