On December 5, 2025, one team managed to force a do-or-die Game 3, while the other saw its NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball semifinals run end at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ian Torres Hits the Game Winner Against an Agjanti-less San Beda
Before the tip-off of Game 2 semifinals between the College of Saint Benilde against San Beda University, it was revealed that Agjanti Miller of the Red Lions is listed out with a knee contusion.
An injury he sustained in the final minutes of their Game 1 win. An injury that, back then, Head Coach Yuri Escueta of San Beda was very wary about during the postgame interview.
CSB opened the game aggressively, jumping to a quick 9-1 advantage. But San Beda quickly regrouped, leaning on the efforts of Jomel Puno and Penny Estacio to erase the deficit and slip ahead, 24-23, after the first quarter.
In the second frame, Nygel Gonzales kept Benilde afloat as the Red Lions’ foul trouble piled up, committing 17 fouls by halftime, but despite the free-throw opportunities, the Blazers struggled to widen the gap, shooting just under 50% from the field.
San Beda steadied itself enough to enter the break holding a 42-36 advantage.
In the third quarter, Benilde unleashed a decisive 16-2 run, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Tony Ynot and big baskets from Justine Sanchez.
That surge overturned the deficit and sent the Blazers into the final period with a slim 60-58 lead.
Early in the fourth, Gonzales sank a jumper to keep Benilde ahead, 62-60, but San Beda responded as Bryan Sajonia caught fire, orchestrating a personal 7-0 burst that pushed the Red Lions up 71-68 with just over three minutes left.
Torres drilled a three-pointer to tie the contest at 73-all with 1:38 remaining, only for Sajonia to reclaim the edge for San Beda on the following play.
Sanchez answered with a driving layup to even things again at 75, setting the stage for a frantic finish.
Gonzales misfired on a drive, and Puno was unable to convert a putback before Liwag secured a crucial defensive rebound with less than six seconds on the clock.
He immediately pushed the ball out to Torres, who raced downcourt and rose for a leaning floater over Gonzales.
Ian’s shot went in with 0.4 seconds left, sealing the victory as the Benilde bench erupted.
FINAL SCORE: CSB BLAZERS 77 – 75 SAN BEDA RED LIONS
Torres finished with 17 points, 12 of them in the second half, along with two rebounds and two assists. Ynot delivered an all-around performance of 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Sanchez contributed a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Liwag with nine points and 15 boards.
Gonzales led San Beda with 17 points, while Sajonia added 16.
Both teams gear up for a winner-take-all battle on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with a finals berth on the line.
Historical Season for Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz of Perpetual Altas Comes to an End
For the Dynamic Duo of Perpetual Altas, both Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz wanted nothing more than a championship in their historical Season 101 after a Game 1 loss.
But the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is playing against a high octane offense ran by Jonathan “Titing” Manalili and the rest of Colegio de San Juan de Letrán.
Perpetual came into the do-or-die situation determined to force a decider and controlled the early flow of the match. After a tight first period where Letran led by just three, 18-15, the Altas took over in the middle quarters.
With Patrick Sleat providing consistent scoring and Josiah Alcantara knocking in a timely triple, Perpetual built their biggest advantage at 64-51 late in the third.
By the time the quarter ended, Letran was staring at a 10-point deficit, 54-64, and had trailed by as many as 13 in the second half.
Perpetual appeared poised to maintain control when Mark Gojo Cruz scored inside for a 70-64 cushion with 4:24 remaining, but that turned out to be the Altas’ final made field goal of the game.
From that moment on, Letran’s defensive pressure tightened while its offense surged.
The comeback truly ignited when Deo Cuajao buried back-to-back three-pointers that cut the Altas’ lead to four, 60-64.
Rookie Titing Manalili, who had been orchestrating Letran’s offense all game long, continued to dictate the pace and create shots for his teammates.
Letran launched a decisive 10-0 run in the last five minutes. Manalili either scored or set up every basket during that stretch, but the turning point came when Jimboy Estrada drained a corner three to put the Knights ahead, 72-70, with 1:41 to play.
The Altas still had opportunities in the closing moments. Attempts by Sleat and John Abis failed to fall as Letran held firm on the defensive end, repeatedly denying Perpetual any clear lane to the basket.
With only seconds left, Jun Roque, who had missed earlier free throws, redeemed himself by sinking two foul shots that sealed the win as Perpetual never scored again, managing only six points in the entire fourth quarter.
FINAL SCORE: LETRAN KNIGHTS 74 – 70 PERPETUAL ALTAS
Titing Manalili finished with a stellar double-double of 16 points and 14 assists. Estrada ended the contest with 11 points and four steals, delivering the game’s biggest shot.
Sleat led the Altas with 17 points along with five rebounds and three assists, though he was limited to just two points in the second half. Gojo Cruz contributed 15, while Abis tallied a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.
The loss ended an impressive run for the top seed of Group A, which returned to the Final Four after a four-year drought.
With their ticket to the championship round secured, Letran now awaits the winner of the San Beda–College of Saint Benilde semifinal series, which has gone the distance and will be decided in a Game 3 showdown.
