St. Benilde Blazers celebrate their win over San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament. –NCAA PHOTO
Jhomel Ancheta banked a three under a minute left as the College of St. Benilde Blazers subdued the San Beda Red Lions, 70-62, on Wednesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Ancheta’s triple with 44.4 seconds remaining took the ferocity out of the Red Lions as the Blazers completed an elimination-round sweep of the reigning champions.
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But what’s more important is the leverage the Blazers gained out of it since their 14th victory in 17 games pushed them closer to cementing the No. 1 spot in the Final Four.
READ: NCAA: Benilde edges San Beda in OT behind rookie’s heroics
“We don’t look at it that way (sweep). We just want to win because we want to end the elimination at No. 1,’’ said CSB coach Charles Tiu.
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They could seal it with another win on Friday against the Lyceum Pirates, the Blazers’ final assignment in the 18-game elimination phase.
Ancheta, who also played hero in their first-round conquest of the Lions, fired 18 points this time in leading the Blazers while Allen Liwag, the frontrunner in the MVP race, had to work extra hard in churning out double-double figures of 14 points and 14 rebounds.
READ: NCAA: Tony Ynot shows what he’s capable of for Benilde
San Beda’s Bismarck Lina made life difficult for Liwag throughout and even got away with 17 points in their matchup underneath the rim.
“Bismarck really gave Allen a handful and it made Allen exhausted,’’ said Tiu.
The Lions buried six threes but misfired the rest of their 21 attempts, including Penny Estacio looper under a minute left that could knotted the count and altered the complexion altogether.
“If you look at the stats, they’re the best three-point shooting team in the league, so we want to get them off the three-point line. Luckily their shots didn’t go in,’’ added Tiu.
James Payosing contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds for the third-ranked Lions, who are already assured of a semifinal appearance with a 10-7 slate and will wrap up their elimination against the San Sebastian Stags on Saturday.
The scores
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ST. BENILDE 70 – Ancheta 18, Liwag 14, Sanchez 13, Ynot 10, Torres 5, Cometa 4, Morales 3, Sangco 3, Oli 0, Eusebio 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0, Ondoa 0
SAN BEDA 62 – Lina 17, Payosing 12, Andrada 10, Estacio 7, Sajonia 6, Celzo 4, Songcuya 2, Puno 2, Gonzales 2, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Royo 0, Sollano 0, Tagle 0
Quarter scores: 19-20, 34-31, 52-51, 70-62