De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde forced a rubber match against San Beda University in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament after a 77-75 victory in Game 2 of the semifinals on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ian Torres made the game-winning shot with less than a second left to conclude the tight match.
San Beda claimed a 42-36 lead by halftime before the Blazers outscored the Red Lions, 24-16, led by Tony Ynot who had 10 points in the said frame.
The back-and-forth continued until a Torres triple tied the game at 73 with 1:38 left. Bryan Sajonia answered with a basket to take the lead, but Justine Sanchez then scored to tie the game anew.
With five seconds left after a Jomel Puno missed basket, Allen Liwag then grabbed the rebound which ended up at the hands of Torres who delivered the victory.
Ynot had 19 points, seven rebounds, five rebounds, and two steals to lead Benilde, while Torres had 17 points. Sanchez had 14 points and 10 boards, while Liwag had nine points and 15 rebounds.
Nygel Gonzales led the Red Lions with 17 points, while Sajonia and Puno had 16 and 14 points, respectively.
"I think for us, I'll give credit to the players. They didn't panic today. That's something we talked about, we're gonna make our run but you expect San Beda not to fold because they're a really good team," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"We could have folded but we didn't. Ian took a bad shot, he knew it, but after he made up for it with a big three and a game winner."
Game 3 of the semis will be played on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
