NCAA: Benilde spoils San Beda's title defense opener with late breakaway

Undermanned, but not underdogs.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde shocked San Beda University even without its top player, pulling off a 77-68 win to kick things off in the NCAA Season 102 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blazers were without reigning two-time MVP Allen Liwag, but banked on Jhomel Ancheta and Matthew Jucom to spoil the Red Lions’ title defense opener.

Ancheta erupted in the fourth to finish with 19 points alongside four rebounds, and three assists while rookie Jucom impressed with 18 markers, six boards, and one dime to help the Blazers stun their previous Final Four tormentor.

"It's really just about focusing on the small details. We're just unfortunate that San Beda rimmed a couple of shots that they had great looks," Benilde head coach Paolo Layug said.

"Guys made shots, Jhomel made shots, Matt made his free throws. Sometimes that's what happens."

Like Benilde, San Beda also played with a depleted roster as Nygel Gonzales and Jomel Puno both sat out the game.

However, they showed their championship poise early on with transferee Aldous Torculas living up the hype, pouring in 13 points in the first half, including seven straight points that gave the Red Lions a 28-21 lead in the second period.

The Blazers kept it close the rest of the way to take a slim 57-55 lead to carry to the fourth period.

Torculas then sank a pair of free throws for a 60-59 lead, but Jucom and Ancheta took over to complete the stunner over the same team that ended Benilde's title dreams last year.

Jucom completed a three-point play before Ancheta drilled a layup to create a 64-60 lead. Jucom then split his charities while Ancheta waxed hot from downtown by burying a triple and sending Benilde to another four-point lead at 68-64.

San Beda would trim it to two, but Benilde responded with a 9-3 closing rampage starring Raffy Celis, whose two-handed slam sealed the deal for the Blazers.

Torculas also exploded in his NCAA debut after dropping 19 points and seven rebounds while RC Calimag chimed in with nine markers.

Scores:

Benilde 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.

San Beda 68 - Torculas 19, RC Calimag 9, Reyes 7, Marcelo 7, Lina 5, Hawkins 5, Bonzalida 4, Uggadan 4, Songcuya 4, Etulle 2, Jalbuena 2, Sarigumba 0, Estacio 0, Richi Calimag 0.

Quarterscores: 15-17, 40-39, 57-55, 77-68.

—JKC, GMA News