The Benilde Blazers held off a late charge from the Lyceum Pirates, 107-103, to create a three-way logjam atop Group A in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament, while the EAC Generals edged Perpetual Help Altas, 92-89, in overtime to share second place in Group B. Both games were played Friday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Benilde Hangs On to Join the Logjam
The Blazers improved to 8-3, tying the San Beda Red Lions and JRU Heavy Bombers for the top spot in Group A. Benilde still has two crucial games left, against the Heavy Bombers on November 6 and the Red Lions on November 10.
The win over Lyceum looked looked like a rout early. Benilde led by as many as 23 points and carried a 87-71 cushion into the fourth. But Lyceum refused to go quietly, trimming the deficit to six, 99-93, and threatening to steal it.
Matthew Jucom answered with a timely triple to restore a nine-point lead, 102-93, with 1:16 left. Renz Villegas made three free throws to keep the Pirates in range, but Ian Torres drilled a three-pointer to put Benilde ahead for good, 105-96, with 49 seconds to go.
“‘Yung tumatakbo lang sa isip ko is, ‘di kami puwedeng matalo sa game na ‘to. Sa standings, dikit-dikit,” said Mowell Morales, who had 18 points. “Inisip ko’ng kailangan ko bumalik at mag-contribute kasi isa ako sa mga beterano dito.”
Jucom led the Blazers with 23 points and 7 rebounds, SJ Moore added 18, and Jhommel Ancheta chipped in 17. Matthew Rubico poured in 28 points for Lyceum and Villegas had 26, but the Pirates fell to 4-7. They face San Beda on November 5.
Bagay Seals Overtime Win for EAC
Jude Bagay delivered when it mattered most for EAC. He topscored with 26 points, including the free throws that sealed the Generals’ win and lifted them to 5-6, tied with the Arellano Chiefs for second place in Group B.
EAC, however, made it harder than it needed to be. The Generals led, 83-79, in the final two minutes of regulation, but Mark Gojo Cruz hit two free throws and Jim Corpuz scored a last-second basket to force overtime at 83-all.
“‘Yon lagi problema namin, how to finish games, at nag-show up na naman,” said EAC head coach Jerson Cabiltes. “I was so frustrated, buti nag-step up sila sa overtime.”
Step up they did. EAC opened the extra period with a 7-3 run, with EJ Castillo scoring five points, for a 90-86 cushion with 2:08 left. Mark Gojo Cruz briefly cut it with a three-point play, but Bagay was unflappable at the line, making his free throws for a 92-89 lead with 11.4 seconds remaining. Juan Tulabut’s desperation three missed at the buzzer.
Castillo finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Kyle Ochavo added 14. Wilmar Oftana and Joseph Nunag chipped in 13 apiece.
Gelo Gelsano and Gojo Cruz paced Perpetual with 21 points each, and Corpuz had 20, but the Altas dropped to 3-8.
EAC faces Group B leader Letran Knights on November 5 and Arellano on November 9. Perpetual meets the struggling San Sebastian Golden Stags on November 6.
