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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Blazers oust Cardinals, book semis ticket

Blazers oust Cardinals, book semis ticket

Published Nov 28, 2025 03:22 pm

At A Glance

  • College of Saint Benilde held its ground and ousted reigning champion Mapua, 74-72, to book its semifinal ticket in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Friday, Nov. 28.
Ian Torres stars for Benilde. (NCAA/GMA Images)
Ian Torres stars for Benilde. (NCAA/GMA Images)
College of Saint Benilde held its ground and ousted reigning champion Mapua, 74-72, to book its semifinal ticket in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Friday, Nov. 28.
The Blazers rose to the occasion with Ian Torres, Shawn Umali, and Allen Liwag delivering timely baskets to build a 72-64 lead which was enough to cushion a late Cardinals rally in the waning minutes of the payoff period.
Mapua came too close for comfort after JC Recto trimmed the gap to just 72-74 but missed two crucial free throws that could have sent the game into overtime.
The victory arranged Benilde a best-of-three semis duel against San Beda, which routed Lyceum, 91-68, in the quarterfinals.
It was also a sort of a Final Four rematch as it can be recalled that Benilde and San Beda clashed in Season 100, with the Blazers rolling past the Red Lions to enter the championship round.
Torres starred for Benilde after posting 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Raffy Celis and Tony Ynot added 18 and 11 points, respectively.
Before getting fouled out, Allen Liwag had nine points and nine rebounds on top of two blocks, and one steal.
Recto, on the other hand, had 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Mark Cuenco and Cyril Gonzales chipped in 17 and 11 points in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letrán reaffirmed its mastery by fending off Arellano’s late rally, 77-69, to complete the semis cast.
Coming off an 87-78 win that forced a decider, the Knights carried their momentum into the do-or-die match, unleashing a third-quarter surge to seize a 50-36 lead. And when the Chiefs cut the deficit to just four, 67-71, Letran answered with a timely 6-0 burst in the fourth to put the game away.
Letran now sets up a best-of-three semis showdown against Perpetual starting Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jimboy Estrada topscored for the Intramuros-based squad with 19 points, while Kevin Santos posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Jun Roque chipped in 11 points.
Manalili, who spearheaded Letran’s counter in the payoff period, scored just three points but he demonstrated his playmaking prowess of eight assists.
T-Mc Ongotan dazzled anew with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Anjord Cabotaje logged 18 points which all went for naught as Arellano concluded its promising season with a 7-6 slate.
The scores (Benilde-Mapua):
ST. BENILDE 74 – Celis 18, Torres 12, Ynot 11, Liwag 9, Sanchez 6, Umali 5, Ancheta 5, Gaspay 4, Morales 2, Cajucom 2, Oli 0.
MAPÚA 72 – Recto 18, Cuenco 17, Gonzales 11, Sapasap 7, Nitura 4, Concepcion 4, Delos Reyes 4, Lazarte 4, Escamis 3, Igliane 0, Abdulla 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 47-31, 60-53, 74-72.
The scores (Letran-Arellano):
LETRAN 77 – Estrada 19, Santos 15, Roque 11, Buensalida 10, Omega 8, Montecillo 6, Cuajao 5, Manalili 3, Gammad 0
ARELLANO 69 – Ongotan 23, Cabotaje 18, Libang 9, Geronimo 6, Vinoya 5, Valencia 4, Demetria 4, Camay 0, Abiera 0, Hernal 0, Borromeo 0, Acop 0
Quarters: 17-20, 39-31, 62-54, 77-69
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