League-leading St. Benilde outlasts a stubborn EAC side, boosting its bid to claim the first Final Four seat in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament
MANILA Philippines – College of St. Benilde needed the big games of Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot to repulse a resilient Emilio Aguinaldo College squad, 69-65, and inch closer to the Final Four in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, October 27, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The 6-foot-6 Liwag pounded it inside to finish with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Ynot, who was sidelined by a severe ankle sprain late in the first round, showed he’s back in form with 14 points on top of 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.
The CSB Blazers also banked on their hot shooting, burying 10 three-pointers in the key win that kept them solo on top at 11-2 — a record good enough to secure at least a playoff for a semifinal berth.
Had EAC pulled off the upset, the Generals would have crashed inside the top four. Instead, they fell to a share of fifth with the Lyceum Pirates at 6-7.
In the second game, the cellar-dwelling San Sebastian hacked out a convincing 88-75 triumph over Arellano.
Tristan Felebrico dropped 17 points, including 11 in the third quarter, to help the Stags rally to their fourth win in 14 games.
The Chiefs slipped to 5-9.
The Scores
First Game
CSB 69 – Liwag 15, Ynot 14, Torres 9, Cometa 7, Eusebio 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 4, Sanchez 3, Oli 3, Cajucom 3, Morales 0, Ancheta 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0.
EAC 65 – Pagsanjan 16, Quinal 12, Gurtiza 10, Lucero 5, Doromal 5, Loristo 4, Bacud 4, Ochavo 3, Oftana 3, Bagay 3, Angeles 0, Luciano 0, Ednilag 0, Umpad 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 34-34, 49-44, 69-65.
Second Game
San Sebastian 88 – Felebrico 17, Aguilar 16, R. Gabat 12, Escobido 10, L. Gabat 9, Maliwat 8, Velasco 7, Ramilo 6, Lintol 2, Chuidian 1, Pascual 0, Suico 0, Cruz 0, Barroga 0.
Arellano 75 – Capulong 14, Abiera 11, Ongotan 10, Vinoya 8, Libang 6, Camay 6, Valencia 5, Hernal 5, Miller 4, Geronimo 3, Espiritu 3, Borromeo 0, Flores 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 35-46, 61-57, 88-75.
– Rappler.com
