The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers opened their NCAA Season 102 campaign with a statement victory, stunning San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 77-68, today, Sept. 13, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The opening frame saw both squads come out firing for the season’s first matchup. Matthew Jucom powered Benilde by drilling crafty shots. However, San Beda answered back with steady offense and trips to the line, finishing at 15-17.
In the second canto, Justine Sanchez cut through the Red Lion’s defenses and passed to Irele Galas, scoring a deuce to tie the match at 17 apiece. San Beda’s Aldous Torculas then sparked a 7-0 run for the Mendiola squad, inching away from Benilde with a 7-point lead at 21-28. However, Raffy Celis drew fouls and converted them into three-point plays to boost the Blazers. Jhomel Ancheta then took over the closing stretch with a three-point play followed by a free throw to erase the deficit and take a one-point lead, ending the quarter at 40-39.
The second half opened with a neck-and-neck battle, as Jimuel Reyes and Daniel Marcelo led the Red Lions’ charge against the men in green and white. John Morales responded, sparking the Blazers’ momentum, with Ian Torres backing him up through consecutive three-pointers. The Taft squad regained their composure and maintained their grit to clout out at 57-55.
Down the final canto, both squads kept the scores tight through a slow offensive stretch. Reyes once again took charge, reclaiming the lead from Benilde. Ancheta and Jucom answered back, trading baskets with the Lions to stay within striking distance. Despite San Beda’s relentless push, Galas widened the gap for Benilde before Celis slammed home the final points, sealing the Blazers’ 77-68 victory.
Ancheta earned player of the game honors with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The Benilde Blazers will go up against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates on Sept. 17, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, with a live telecast on One Sports on YouTube, PilipinasLIVE on CignalPlay and NCAA NXT on Cignal TV.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (77) - Ancheta 19, Jucom 18, Galas 12, Celis 11, Morales 8, Torres, 3, Arciaga 3, Cajucom 2, Sanchez 1, Moore 0, Podador 0, Daja 0, Go 0
SBU (68) - Torculas 19, RC Calimag 9, Reyes 7, Marcelo 7, Lina 5, Hawkins 5, Bonzalida 4, Ugaddan 4, Songcuya 4, Etulle 2, Jalbuena 2, Sarigumba 0, Estacio 0, Richi Calimag 0
