A NEW champion will be crowned in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball after the College of St. Benilde Blazers delivered a stunning blow to the defending champion Mapúa Cardinals, winning a hard-fought match, 74-72, at San Juan Arena on Friday.
The victory officially ended Mapúa’s back-to-back title bid.
Coach Charles Tiu expressed relief and pride after the close call.
“That looked like a game that we almost let slip away,” Tiu said. “Beating Mapúa’s really something… Everybody was counting us out, there were naysayers from within and the fans. Nobody believed in our team so I told them, we have something to prove. The job’s not done.”
The Blazers established a dominant 18-point lead at one point, but the Cardinals mounted a characteristic late-game rally, ensuring the defending champions did not go down without a fight.
Benilde held a 62-54 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals unloaded a 9-0 run capped off by a Cyrus Cuenco triple in the 5:51 mark of the fourth to take the 63-62 lead.
The Blazers had the answer, however, as they built an eight-point lead after a 10-1 rally concluded by a Shawn Umali triple to put Benilde up, 72-64, with 2:08 to go.
The biggest moment of the game came when the Cardinals had the chance to send the game to overtime after JC Recto was fouled by Justine Sanchez with 5.5 to go.
With the Blazers up, 74-72, Recto had a chance to send the game to five extra minutes only to miss both freebies which ultimately led to the conclusion of Mapua’s season.
Raffy Celis spearheaded Benilde with 18 points and five rebounds while Ian Torres and Tony Ynot dropped 12 and 11 points, respectively in the win.
Recto finished with 18 markers and five boards in what turned out to be the Cardinals’ final game of the season. Graduating guard and former Finals MVP Clint Escamis didn’t have the best swan song as he tallied three points and five boards before getting ejected in the third quarter due to a disqualifying foul.
Up next for the Blazers are the San Beda Red Lions in a best-of-three semifinals starting Tuesday.
“They’ve beaten us twice already so I hope this time, kami naman… We have to look forward to San Beda, they’re a great team,” Tiu said.
