TORRES LEADS BENILDE PAST LETRAN FOR CRUCIAL GROUP B WIN
By: Miguel Caramoan
Two Strong Group-backed programs went head-to-head on Friday, and when the dust settled, it was College of Saint Benilde that emerged with the upper hand. Powered by a breakout performance from Ian Torres, the Blazers outlasted bitter rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 80-74, to seize solo control of the second twice-to-beat slot in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Torres, who entered the game averaging just 6.3 points, erupted for 15 markers and four assists off the bench, igniting a crucial second-half surge that turned the tide in Benilde’s favor. John Morales likewise provided an early spark, dropping 13 first-half points on a flawless 5-of-5 clip.
“I was worried if we could beat Letran again kasi kumpleto sila,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu. “We shot so well in the first half with 10 threes, but in the end I think it’s our defense that ended up winning the game for us.”
Both Strong Group-supported squads traded haymakers early, with the Blazers shooting a blistering 64.7 percent in the opening quarter while the Knights countered by knocking down all nine of their free throws. Morales and Tony Ynot combined for 20 markers on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting, while Jonathan Manalili and Chad Gammad matched them with seven points apiece.
Benilde briefly pulled ahead, 40-28, after a Torres triple, but Letran roared back with a 10-0 run capped by a Jun Roque basket to slice the lead to two. The Blazers regained control before the break, entering halftime up 50-48 after a Kevin Santos fastbreak finish.
Letran snatched a 66-61 edge late in the third quarter thanks to a Jimboy Estrada three-pointer, but the Blazers countered with a decisive 15-0 blast—capped by a Justine Sanchez bucket—to build a double-digit cushion they never relinquished.
Now at 7-4, Benilde owns not just a one-game lead over Letran but also the all-important season sweep that gives them the tiebreaker for the twice-to-beat incentive.
“It was a bit better because we’re still without Allen and guys needed to recover,” Tiu added, noting how the league-wide suspension helped his team reset. “It’s always hard coming from a loss… but we settled down and played pretty good today.”
Manalili paced the Knights with 16 points and five assists, while Estrada chipped in 14 off the bench as Letran dropped to 6-5, tied with JRU for third.
Benilde aims to strengthen its hold on the No. 2 spot when it faces the JRU Heavy Bombers on Tuesday. Letran looks to regroup on Sunday against the EAC Generals, with both Strong Group teams hoping to stay in the thick of the playoff race.
