Benilde edges San Beda in OT behind rookie’s heroics

College of St. Benilde guard Jhomel Ancheta celebrates after hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter against San Beda in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde found an unlikely hero in rookie Jhomel Ancheta as the Blazers outlasted defending champion San Beda, 70-65, in overtime in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at San Juan Arena. .

Ancheta, a transferee from Centro Escolar University, flourished down the stretch, going on a personal 5-0 run that set the tone for Benilde in OT. He then assisted on Tony Ynot’s triple that gave the Blazers a 68-61 cushion with 2:52 remaining.

Article continues after this advertisement

The explosive guard came away with 14 points, including a 3-pointer that put Benilde ahead, 60-58, with only 19.7 ticks to go in regulation before San Beda big man Yukien Andrada knotted the count at 60-all with 14.6 seconds left.

READ: NCAA: Allen Liwag leads way for new-look Benilde

Allen Liwag, who notched his second straight double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, nearly won it for the Blazers but his last-second putback went in and out as time ran out. Ynot gave his former team fits with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Bryan Sajonia topscored for the Red Lions (1-1) with another stellar outing of 19 points and five rebounds while Andrada had 13.

Article continues after this advertisement

Olsen Racela triumphant in Perpetual Help coaching debut

Perpetual Help coach Olsen Racela gives his players some pep talk.-NCAA PHOTO

Olsen Racela made his NCAA coaching debut and steered Perpetual Help to an 82-66 win over Jose Rizal University.

“We just continued to do what we’ve been doing,” said Racela, the PBA legend, in Filipino.

“I just told them to sustain our defense and keep trusting the system.”

READ: NCAA: Tony Ynot shows what he’s capable of for Benilde

JP Boral was the main man for the Altas, notching a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while rookie Mark Gojo Cruz dropped 15.

Heavy Bombers’ Joshua Guiab posted 15 points and six rebounds while Mart Berrera tallied 10 points.

Racela and the Altas look to make it two in a row on Friday against Arellano, which is seeking its first win after succumbing to Emilio Aguinaldo College in overtime on Sunday.