Last November 14, 2025, key games from both groups in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s basketball happened at the FilOil EcoOil Centre at San Juan City.
Ian Torres and Justine Sanchez Torches Letrán to Solidify #2 Spot in Group B
The first game of Friday hoops featured crucial matchups in Group B, aka ‘Group of Death’
It was the #2 College of Saint Benilde up against the #3 Colegio de San Juan de Letrán.
The game opened at a blistering pace, with both squads trading efficient scoring. Benilde shot an impressive 64.7% in the first quarter, while Letran capitalized at the stripe by knocking down all nine of its early free throws.
John Morales and Tony Ynot set the tone for the Blazers, combining for 20 points on a perfect 7-of-7 start. On Letran’s side, Jonathan Manalili and Chad Gammad matched the energy with seven points apiece.
Benilde eventually built a 40–28 lead after an Ian Torres triple, but the Knights countered with a 10–0 run capped by a Jun Roque bucket, trimming the deficit to 40–38. The Blazers managed to hang onto a slim advantage entering the break, 50–48, following a Kevin Santos fastbreak finish.
The Knights struck first in the second half, momentarily seizing control behind a Jimboy Estrada three-pointer that put them ahead 66–61 with 3:43 left in the third period.
But that proved to be their last surge. From there, Benilde ignited a decisive 15–0 run that stretched into the fourth quarter, fueled by contributions from multiple Blazers and punctuated by a Justine Sanchez basket. When the dust settled, the Taft-based squad held a commanding 76–66 lead with just over six minutes left.
Santos briefly halted Letran’s drought, but Benilde kept its cushion intact.
A key basket from Jhomel Ancheta with 3:03 remaining restored a double-digit separation, allowing the Blazers to keep the Knights at bay in the final minutes and avenge their previous loss to San Beda earlier in the week.
FINAL SCORE: CSB 80 – 74 LETRÁN
Torres delivered a breakout performance off the bench, scoring 15 points and dishing out four assists after averaging just 6.3 points in his first nine outings. Sanchez added 14 points and eight rebounds,
Morales chipped in 13, which was all in the first half, while Ynot and Ancheta had 12 and 10, respectively. Benilde again played without injured forward Allen Liwag.
With the win, Benilde improved to either 7–4 or 7–5, depending on league tabulation, but more importantly, gained a full-game lead over Letran for the second twice-to-beat spot in Group B, holding the tiebreaker thanks to their season sweep of the Knights.
On the other hand, Manalili paced Letran with 16 points, five assists, five steals, and two rebounds, while Estrada contributed 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and a steal off the bench. Aaron Buensalida added 10 points and eight boards.
Letran, meanwhile, fell to 6–5 and is now tied with JRU in the standings.
Benilde will next face the JRU Heavy Bombers on Tuesday, while Letran looks to rebound against the EAC Generals on Sunday.
‘Classic Clint’ Escamis Was in Full Display Against #1 Perpetual Help
For the last game of Friday’s showdown, it was the battle of the #1 and #2 teams in Group A.
The 8-2 University of Perpetual Help System DALTA played the 5-5 Mapúa University.
The Cardinals, who entered the day riding momentum from a previous victory, wasted no time asserting control.
The opening quarter was tight, with Mapua edging ahead 16–12, but the tone shifted in the second period. The Cardinals broke the game open by outscoring the Altas 24–15, keeping Perpetual’s offense in check while executing consistently on their own end.
The separation widened further in the third frame, where Mapua continued to dictate the pace and limited the Altas to just 30 points across the middle quarters combined.
Their largest margin came early in the fourth after Drex Delos Reyes scored to make it 60–42, but Perpetual refused to fold. The Altas mounted a late rally and trimmed the lead to 62–55 behind JB Boral’s free throws with 5:35 left. However, Mapua quickly slammed the door.
Yam Concepcion split from the stripe before knocking down a big three, followed by another triple from Cyrus Cuenco that restored a 69–56 cushion entering the final minutes.
A brief pause came when Boral hit a free throw off a Marc Igliane foul, but Clint Escamis answered by draining a technical free throw and then burying a dagger three that effectively put the game out of reach.
Moments later, EJ Sapasap added a transition finish with about 2:25 remaining, sealing the Cardinals’ second straight victory as they controlled the rest of the way.
FINAL SCORE: MAPUÁ 77 – 61 PERPETUAL
Escamis powered Mapua with an all-around effort, finishing with 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal which was one of his strongest outings of the season.
Cuenco provided 13 points along with four rebounds and four assists, while Concepcion and Sapasap chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. The victory improved Mapua’s record to 6–5, further solidifying their hold on the No. 2 spot in Group A.
Perpetual absorbed its second straight loss but remained atop Group A at 8–3 with a twice-to-beat advantage already secured for the quarterfinals.
Alcantara was the lone Altas player in double figures with 10 points.
Mapua will attempt to carry its momentum into Tuesday’s matchup against San Sebastian, while Perpetual looks to bounce back on Sunday when it faces the Arellano Chiefs at the same venue.
