De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde made sure there’s no endgame lapses this time around, finishing strong against San Beda University for a 70-62 win in NCAA Season 100 on Wednesday.
The Blazers, who were eager to bounce back from a tough loss to Mapua University last Sunday, hiked their standing to 14-3 to improve their chances to finish at the top spot ahead of the Final Four.
The Red Lions absorbed their second loss in a row and slipped to 10-7.
"It's a big win for us. San Beda, they're one of the best teams, they really have a deep lineup, great coaching staff. It's always a tough game," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"We don't see it as sweeping them. Kami, we just take it one game at a time, nagkataon na we played San Beda and we wanted to bounce back from a painful loss from Mapua."
Bismarck Lina, who wasn't around the first time the two teams met in the first round, gave life to San Beda and traded baskets with Allen Liwag early in the fourth. His back-to-back baskets saw San Beda take a 55-52 lead, before James Payosing's five straight points made it a 60-56 cushion for the defending champions.
But Liwag responded, burying two consecutive key baskets with a Justine Sanchez triple in the middle as the Blazers took a slim 63-62 cushion in the final four minutes.
Gab Cometa then knocked down an and-one basket before Tony Ynot issued the pass to an open Jhomel Ancheta, who would sink the dagger triple to bring Benilde to its 14th win in 17 outings.
Ancheta, who was also the hero during their first round overtime win against the Red Lions, paced Benilde with 18 points and eight rebounds while Liwag posted another double-double of 14 markers and 14 boards.
Lina shone with 17 points, five rebounds, and one assist in the loss while Payosing churned out 12 markers and 11 boards.
Scores:
Benilde 70 – Ancheta 18, Liwag 14, Sanchez 13, Ynot 10, Torres 5, Cometa 4, Morales 3, Sangco 3, Oli 0, Eusebio 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0, Ondoa 0.
San Beda 62 – Lina 17, Payosing 12, Andrada 10, Estacio 7, Sajonia 6, Celzo 4, Songcuya 2, Puno 2, Gonzales 2, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Royo 0, Sollano 0, Tagle 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 34-31, 52-51, 70-62.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
