COLLEGE of St. Benilde blasted Perpetual Help yesterday 78-51 for its fourth straight win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Transferees Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot sparked the rout, with the former tallying 13 points, eight rebounds and a steal and the latter finishing with 12 markers, eight boards, and two dimes.

Gab Cometa and Jhomel Ancheta also provided offensive efforts for the Taft-based crew, combining for 19 points.

In the second game, Jose Rizal University whipped San Sebastian College 90-74 for its first win.

“I’m surprised that we won by this much, to be honest. Obviously, we prepare for every game, we expect to win but I didn’t think that we played this well. Give credit to my players, they really defended well because I’ve been telling them all week long that Perpetual is a very good team,” CSB coach Charles Tiu said. “They’re greatly coached by coach Olsen (Racela) so I’m very happy with the way we played today. That’s the kind of culture we are trying to build.

“That mindset that it doesn’t matter who we play, we respect every opponent, we play hard, hindi puwedeng kapag San Beda lang ginaganahan kayo because you see how competitive every team is. Any given day, anybody can upset one another if we play badly so we really have to play hard and give it our all,” he added.

Marvin Raymundo dropped a double-double of 26 points and 13 boards while Mart Barrera fired 18 for the Heavy Bombers.

With the result, JRU rose to 1-3 while San Sebastian slipped to 2-2 in a tie with Perpetual, EAC and San Beda.

Paeng Are sizzled with 17 points while Raymart Escobido and Ameer Aguilar had 11 apiece for the Stags. Tristan Felebrico and Leonard Velasco had 10 markers each.

Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz and Shawn Orgo’s 11 and 10 points, respectively, went for naught as the Altas absorbed their second loss in a row.

EMILIO Aguinaldo College stunned defending champion San Beda University yesterday 68-55 for its second win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Generals snapped a two-game mini-slump and rose to 2-2, with guard Harvey Pagsanjan leading the way with 14 points, seven rebounds and a steal while JC Luciano added 13 markers on 4-of-4 shooting from deep, to go with eight boards.

The victory was EAC’s first over San Beda since joining the league in 2009.

“We’re very happy that we’re able to bounce back after a dismal performance against CSB so iyon nga, itong first win namin against San Beda ever since sumali iyong EAC so it’s a very good win kasi we needed this win kundi mababaon kami sa standings,” Generals coach Jerson Cabiltes said. “So, (we’re) just fortunate and thank you dahil nanalo kami ngayon.”

Earlier, Letran trounced Arellano University 86-79.

Paolo Javillonar, back after serving his two-game suspension for playing in unsanctioned leagues, poured in his best game after a long while, exploding with a game-high 28 points in leading the Knights to their second win in three outings.

It was also the bull-strong Javillonar who sparked a fourth quarter onslaught that saw the Knights erase a 12-point third quarter lead and turn it into victory.

“Tiwala lang,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo. “Napaka importante magtiwala sa mga bata. Every minute lagi ko sinasabi, kahit ano ang mangyari, walang bibigay regardless kahit ano lead pa ‘yan, tyagain natin, one point at a time.”

Jimboy Estrada and James Miller also helped in the cause as they scattered 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Big man Yukien Andrada was the lone bright spot for the Lions with 12 points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal.

San Beda slipped to 2-2 following the heartbreak.

Maverick Vinoya led the Chiefs with 16 points while Cyril Hernal and Lorenz Capulong had 11 markers apiece.

“WINNING is the byproduct” has been the mantra of defending champion La Salle this 87th UAAP basketball tournament–and it’s working so far.

The green and white crew from Taft is currently on top with an unbeaten 3-0 mark that included a 74-61 win over rival Ateneo last Sunday.

“I think what’s important to all of us is what’s in front of us. We don’t have control on what’s gonna happen in the next few days or in the next few weeks but what’s important just like what Mike (Phillips) said is we always have to make sure that we keep our culture alive, we’re gonna go through our struggles,” Green Archers coach Topex Robinson said.

“We’re gonna go through our victories but again, trying to get better sinabi nga ni KQ (Kevin Quiambao) kanina that ang dami pa namin dapat matutunan, I mean as a team.

“We know that it’s a different ballgame right now coming into this season that all teams are really gonna be all playing against us so ang sa amin lang palagi is really true to our faith, to what we believe in as a family, and just let the results take care of itself. Winning is gonna be the byproduct of what we’re doing as a team so we’re gonna hold on to that,” he added.

Robinson emphasized the key contributions of the 6-foot-7 Quiambao along with veteran big man Phillips.

“They will always gonna make you look good that’s the blessing of having a KQ and Mike. A lot of times we just try to remind each other, this guy (KQ) always reminds me if I’m getting so emotional, this guy reminds me also if I’m losing it so we always try to help each other out because we get lost especially me,” Robinson said. “It’s really nice to have that kind of relationship with these guys wherein we kinda flattened the hierarchy that I’m not the head coach, I just happen to have the title but it’s everybody.

“That’s really the key to us is we work together as a team. We always use us, ours, and we. That’s really the key to this.”

WITH reigning MVP Clint Escamis leading the way, Mapua University turned back Perpetual Help 71-65 yesterday for its second straight win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Escamis dropped a career-high 28 points and added two rebounds, two assists, and three steals while Marc Cuenco dished out 12 markers and six dims.

“Kinausap ko si Cyrus Cuenco, especially kapag mga end game, last five minutes stretch, kailangan take over na tayo kasi tayo na iyong seniors. Wala nang Paolo Hernandez, wala nang Warren Bonifacio,” Escamis said. “Tayo na iyong aasahan and I’m happy for my boy na na-shoot niya iyon, crucial and nagtiwala talaga ako. In return, pinasa niya and nagtiwala din siya pabalik and I made the shot.

“We’re coming baby, redemption season,” he added.

Mapua improved to 2-1 while the Altas absorbed their first loss for a 2-1 mark.

Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz led Perpetual with 17 points while Christian Pagaran and Cedrick Abis scored 12 markers each.

Earlier, John Barba saved the day for Lyceum, which scored a 97-92 win over Jose Rizal University.

The Pirates snapped a mini two-game losing skid, thanks to Barba who unloaded a career-best 28 points, to go with five rebounds, and three assists.

It was a heartbreaking ending for the Heavy Bombers, who controlled most part of the game.

In fact, Shaw Boulevard-based squad even led by as much as 13 points and at one point, 12, in the last canto.

JRU remained winless in three matches as Jonathan Medina’s 22 points and Joshua Guiab’s 20 markers went to naugtht.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas can celebrate its stunning 74-64 victory over Ateneo last Wednesday, but not for long.

As far as coach Pido Jarencio is concerned, the Espana-based squad has a long way to go. Contending for the crown in the 87th UAAP men’s basketball tournament won’t be easy.

“Malayo pa ito. Two games sa first round, may second round pa ito. Pero kahit papano nakakakuha na kami ng panalo. Nakakapondo na para pagdating ng second round, mas lalong magbabakbakan. At least nakapondo na tayo ng panalo. Basta ang goal namin is one game at a time, makapasok ng final four. Iyon muna kami,” Jarencio said.

The team’s latest win was UST’s first over Ateneo in the league since September 26, 2015, snapping an overall 15-game losing streak against the Eagles. It gave the Growling Tigers a share of the early lead with defending champion De La Salle U at 2-0.

Jarencio, 60, said UST is slowly establishing its identity as a team not to be taken lightly.

“Itong team na to, nag-eestablish kami, ini-establish namin sarili namin na magkaron ng identity. Kasi kapag hindi ka nananalo, wala kang identity. Pero sa ngayon, nananalo kami, we’re doing well du’n sa sistemang pinasok naming,” he said.

Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabanero took charge against the Eagles, getting valuable help from Gelo Crisostomo, Mo Tounkara, and Mark Llemit.

“Forthsky is the leader. Kaya medyo na-establish na namin (identity). Nagkakaron na ng ngipin iyong team,” Jarencio said.

“Basta importante, focus sa practice, focus dun sa physical na aspect. Mental and physical, dapat mag-focus du’n. And then, we stay humble lang. Stay on the ground lang. Basta kami, ang utak namin, wala pa kaming na-achieve. Nanalo kami ng two games, part ng growing up para masabing matibay na team ka, magaling kang team,” he added.

Up next for the team are the Soaring Falcons of Adamson this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Adamson is a well-coached team. Maganda rin ‘yung sistema. They have players. We cannot take them for granted. Lahat ng teams dito sa UAAP, 1-1, sila pero alam mo, any time of the day pag biglang pumutok iyan…,” the former PBA coach said.

“Ang focus namin is iyong game against Adamson na. After this game (against Ateneo), wala na, tapos na to. Past is past. Look forward na tayo. Ganon kami, iyon ang utak namin.”

SAN Sebastian College nipped Lyceum 95-93 yesterday for its second straight win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Rafael Are stayed red-hot after tallying a career-high over the weekend, pacing the Golden Stags anew with a double-double outing of 25 points and 13 assists to go with eight rebounds, and two steals while Raymart Escobido, who sank the last basket for San Sebastian via a bonus free throw, finished with 23 markers, three boards, four dimes, and a steal.

In the second game, Mapua University Cardinals escaped Emilio Aguinaldo College 69-66 for its first victory.

Tristan Felebrico also had a double-double of 14 markers and 15 rebounds while Leonard Velasco and Reggz Gabat combined for 18 points for San Sebastian.

“I always remind the boys na up to the last second huwag kaming mag-gi-give up, up to the last buzzer, iyon talaga and again, take it every game as championship, walang bukas. pahinga tayo bukas kapag nanalo. Win or lose laro natin para sa Baste. Para ibalik iyong glory ng Baste,” Stags coach Arvin Bonleon said.

“Siguro, tingin ko iyong puso talagang desidido sila. Nagtiwala sila sa amin, nagtiwala kami sa kanila. Hindi talaga kami kumuha from outside, galing lang sa loob. Binigyan (namin) ng chance iyong mga bata and siyempre gusto nila i-prove iyong sarili nila,” he added.

John Barba’s career-high 25 points went down the drain for the Pirates, who dropped to 0-2.

Ditto with JM John Bravo’s 13 markers, and Guadana’s 12.

Sporting buzz cuts after their opening day loss over the weekend, the Cardinals crashed the winner’s circle, thanks to rookie Lawrence Mangubat who fired 15 points along with JC Recto who scored 12.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis dished out an all-around performance of 10 markers, six dimes, four boards and three steals while rookie Chris Hubilla added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Intramuros-based crew.

Transferee Harvey Pagsanjan and King Gurtiza led the Generals’ offense with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

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.”