By: Miguel Caramoan
Tony Ynot got his payback.
Fueled by memories of last season’s heartbreak, Ynot powered the College of Saint Benilde Blazers to a 75-65 victory over defending champion Mapua University in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Seniors Basketball Finals, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Ynot was unstoppable, exploding for 25 points, nine rebounds, and three assists on an efficient 64.3% shooting in just 19 minutes.
“I’m glad that he’s finally hitting his shots because I think he’s been pressing himself, kasi siyempre he wants to perform at his capability,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu. “
He’s been playing with one leg pero ito today bumalik na. Grabe siya magpakamatay sa bola, and how he fought for the team… His energy really carried them.”
Allen Liwag provided solid support with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
It was a fitting revenge for the Blazers, who were swept by the Cardinals in last season’s championship series — a title run that ended Mapua’s 33-year drought.
This time, Benilde made sure history wouldn’t repeat itself.
The Blazers came out blazing with an 18-0 start in the first quarter — all coming from Ynot and Liwag. They maintained control for the rest of the first half, taking a 48-36 lead on the strength of seven made triples.
Mapua, however, mounted a 14-2 run midway through the third quarter to cut the deficit to 55-54 after a Cyril Gonzales jumper at the 3:16 mark. But Ynot answered with a personal five-point burst to steady the Blazers and restore a 64-58 cushion entering the final frame.
The Cardinals again threatened in the fourth, trimming the lead to 64-61, before the Blazers unleashed a decisive 7-0 run capped by an Ian Torres free throw that gave them a 71-61 advantage — the final turning point of the game.
“We just wanted to make them beat us, and we felt even last year, we kept giving the ball away and looked like we were going to throw the game away in the third quarter. But to us, we just have to get one stop at a time and kahit hindi na kami umiskor,” said Tiu on how the Blazers weathered Mapua’s second-half rally.
The win improved Benilde to 6-3, giving them some breathing room over Letran for second place in Group B.
The Blazers will try to sustain their momentum when they face group leader San Beda on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, seeking to avenge their opening-day loss.
“I think we need to take care of business first. I really think — and my goal was to sweep the games this week, and we would be in a good spot. Then I can say we have separation,” said Tiu on Benilde and Letran’s tight race for the second seed in Group B.
“But other than that, we lose to San Beda, we’re right back tied to Letran. So it’s going to be a dogfight for us.”
Meanwhile, Mapua dropped below .500 at 4-5 to end its crossover play but remains second in Group A.
Cyrus Cuenco led the Cardinals with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Earl Sapasap added 13 markers. Clint Escamis continued to struggle with his efficiency, finishing with 11 points on just 30% shooting from the field.
Mapua will look to bounce back as it opens second-round action against the struggling LPU Pirates.
The Scores:
Benilde 75 – Ynot 25, Liwag 12, Cajucom 8, Sanchez 6, Moore 6, Morales 4, Eusebio 4, Umali 3, Torres 3, Celis 2, Cometa 2, Oli 0, Ancheta 0
Mapua 65 – Cuenco 14, Sapasap 13, Escamis 11, Concepcion 8, Gonzales 8, Nitura 7, Reyes 4, Gulapa 0, Recto 0, Callangan 0, Igliane 0, Ryan 0, Lazarte 0
Quarterscores: 30-19, 48-36, 64-58, 75-65
