MANILA, Philippines – Coaching Tony Ynot gave St. Benilde tactician Charles Tiu a different perspective on the do-it-all guard.
The Blazers leaned on Ynot down the stretch as they completed a 78-65 comeback win over Mapua for a victorious start in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, September 7.
Debuting for St. Benilde in the NCAA after transferring from San Beda, Ynot impressed across the board with 9 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals, including a string of key plays that took the fight out of the Cardinals.
“To be honest, I did not know he was this good,” said Tiu, who remembered Ynot cramping up in the first half of a Blazers-Red Lions game years back.
“It is a big revelation. Wow, he is really good. I’m just thankful that he decided to play for us.”
Mapua still held a 63-60 lead with 5:30 minutes remaining after a Clint Escamis three-pointer, but St. Benilde ended the game on a blistering 18-2 run powered by Ynot and big man Allen Liwag.
In one stretch, Ynot scored a short stab, assisted on Mark Sangco, then converted a fastbreak layup off his own steal in consecutive possessions for a 73-65 lead before Liwag put on the finishing touches.
“I trust him a lot. He has got a lot of experience. At the end of the game, you want your best players to make the decision for you,” said Tiu of Ynot.
“He made plays and he played some excellent defense.”
Liwag frolicked inside the paint with 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Gab Cometa chimed in 17 points and 4 rebounds.
Jhomel Ancheta added 9 points and Justin Sanchez contributed 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks as the Blazers got back at the Cardinals after being eliminated by the same team in the Final Four last season.
Escamis posted 16 points, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds as the lone double-digit scorer for Mapua.
Marc Cuenco, Lawrence Mangubat, and Chris Hubilla scored 9 points apiece in the loss.
St. Benilde 78 – Liwag 23, Cometa 17, Ynot 9, Ancheta 9, Sanchez 6, Sangco 4, Eusebio 3, Morales 3, Cajucom 2, Torres 2, Turco 0, Ondoa 0, Serrano 0.
Mapua 65 – Escamis 16, Cuenco 9, Mangubat 9, Hubilla 9, Jabonete 5, Agemenyi 5, Ryan 4, Fermin 4, Igliane 2, Abdulla 2, Recto 0, Garcia 0, Bancale 0, Concepcio 0.
Quarters: 14-21, 32-37, 55-55, 78-65.
– Rappler.com
