A BETTER defensive game solved a huge problem for the College of St. Benilde Blazers on Friday in the 101st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Letran Knights were controlling the game in the first half and big adjustments in the absence of a key player, Allen Liwag, turned things around for the Blazers, when action ended at the FilOil Arena in San Juan.
“These (turnovers, hustles, rebounds) were addressed pre-game. These were the first things I wrote on the board. And things were happening in the other direction. But I give them credit. Because they (team) didn’t back down,” said Blazers’ coach Charles Tiu.
With three players scoring key baskets, the Blazers went on to turn the tables on the Knights and pull off an 80-74 triumph.
Ian Torres fired a game-high 15 points for the Blazers as they picked up their seventh win in 11 matches, keeping a tight grip on Group B’s second seeding.
Torres’ triple in the closing seconds of the third period lifted the Blazers up, 69-66.
“He’s struggling. He took the challenge to step up,” added Tiu.
Justine Sanchez, with 14 points and eight boards, struck thrice in succession in the final 6:08 of the fourth, and the Blazers moved away by 10, 76-66.
The Knights, with Titing Manalili leading with 16 points, slipped to 6-5 record, and became the third best team of Group B.
The Blazers made big adjustments, with Liwag out due to a shoulder injury.
Tiu said they were have trouble with their foul situation when they took a 76-80 loss to the Red Lions.
“They ran against a physical team like Letran. Kahit paano, we were undermanned without Allen. Pero lumaban sila,” added Tiu.
Meanwhile, the Mapua Cardinals slammed Group A leader Perpetual Help, 77-61, with Clint Escamis firing a game-high 18 points.
The Cardinals is still the second best team in Group A with a 6-5 record, while Altas are solidly ahead at 8-3.
In the junior action, Nathan Egea knocked in 19 points for the Letran Squires as they repulsed La Salle Greenhills.
The Squires hiked their record to 6-4 to stay at no. 2 in Group B.
