By el Amigo
MANILA — A late three-pointer from Jhomel Ancheta powered College of Saint Benilde past defending champion San Beda University, 77-68, in a thrilling NCAA Season 102 opener Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blazers weathered several San Beda challenges and closed the game with poise, overcoming the absence of injured star Allen Liwag to secure an impressive opening-day victory.
Neither team was able to establish firm control early.
San Beda held a 17-15 lead after the first quarter, but Benilde responded in the second period to take a 40-39 advantage at halftime.
The Blazers remained in front, 57-55, after three quarters, only for the Red Lions to seize the lead again in the opening minutes of the final period.
Jimmy Reyes completed a three-point play to put San Beda ahead, 58-57, raising hopes of a comeback by the defending champions.
Instead, Benilde answered with a 7-2 run and restored its advantage.
The Red Lions stayed within striking distance until Raffy Celis sank two free throws to give the Blazers a 70-66 lead with less than two minutes left.
Ancheta then put the finishing touches on the upset.
The Benilde guard buried a three-pointer with only 31 seconds remaining, pushing the lead to 73-66 and silencing San Beda’s final attempt to rally.
Ancheta finished with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, while rookie Matthew Jucom impressed in his NCAA debut with 18 points and six rebounds.
Aldous Torculas had 19 points and seven rebounds for San Beda.
Meanwhile, Letran also started its campaign on a winning note after beating Perpetual Help, 84-77, in another rematch of last season’s semifinals.
The Knights led by one after the opening quarter, 21-20, and carried a 38-36 edge into halftime. They were still ahead, 59-55, after three quarters.
Perpetual narrowed the gap in the fourth, but Letran responded with a 9-3 run that restored its control.
Manalili’s floater with 43.7 seconds remaining gave Letran an 81-74 advantage and effectively settled the contest.
Walker led the Knights with 21 points on five three-pointers in his first NCAA appearance for Letran, while Estrada added 18 points, six assists and four rebounds.
Pagulayan scored 18 points for Perpetual.
With two semifinal rematches producing decisive opening-day results, NCAA Season 102 has already provided an early glimpse of another fiercely contested race.
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