JHOMEL Ancheta and Tony Ynot played the role of heroes as College of St. Benilde stunned defending champion San Beda University in overtime 70-65 yesterday in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ancheta and Ynot took over in OT when the Blazers needed it the most. Ancheta delivered 14 points, two rebounds, and five assists while Ynot finished with 13 markers, seven boards, five dimes and a steal.
Big man Allen Liwag also made pivotal contributions despite fouling out with less than a minute in the extra period, with 12 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Mark Sango and Gab Cometa combined for 13 points for the Blazers.
CSB gained the early solo lead with a 2-0 mark while the Red Lions slipped to 1-1.
“We basically executed how we wanted to. I like that we didn’t panic,” Blazers coach Charles Tiu said. “That game looked like it was ours… Then in overtime, we stopped.
“We got an early start and that’s how we ended up winning the game,” he added.
Earlier, JP Boral dropped a double-double outing of 17 points and 10 rebounds to propel Perpetual Help to an 82-66 whipping of Jose Rizal University.
Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz also shone for the Las Pinas-based crew with an all-around effort of 15 markers, five boards, three dimes, two steals and one block while Christian Pagaran chipped in 11 points, two rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block.
“Of course, I’m happy with the win in our first game this season, my first win, pero it’s part of our growth as a team. Marami pa kaming kailangan gawin and we’re learning. We’re still adjusting sa isa’t isa, sa system, sila sa akin, ako sa kanila, ako sa liga,” rookie Altas tactician Olsen Racela said. “I’m just happy that you know, nakuha na namin iyong first win and then we move forward after this
“Dikitan iyong laro. Next game namin Friday so buti na lang I had the opportunity of luxury of resting sila (iyong ibang players) noong end game para to prepare for our next game.”
