St. Benilde overcomes 15-point deficit, slips past Mapua

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

St. Benilde snapped its four-game losing skid and downed Mapua, 74-69, Tuesday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

JJ Domingo reached a new career-high, pouring 24 points and four rebounds for the Blazers, while Clement Leutcheu tallied a double-double in tune of his 14 markers and 17 boards.

Carlo Young also shot 4-of-9 from threes to wound up with 13 points and four rebounds, while Edward Dixon registered 10 markers and 10 boards.

“I’m just super happy and super enthusiastic right now. It took out all of the fatigue we’re feeling,” said coach TY Tang, as the Blazers outscored the Cardinals, 22-8 in the fourth quarter. “It’s really the character that we’re trying to build up. We’re slowly getting there.”

St. Benilde crawled out of a 56-41 deficit with three minutes to play in the third frame and continued on chipping away the lead in the payoff period before finally grabbing the lead, 65-64, with 6:23 to play.

With the Blazers holding on to a 72-69 lead in the final minute, the Cardinals had a shot to force overtime, but Andoy Estrella muffed his trey as Rene Sta. Maria iced the game with two freebies with 4.6 ticks left.

St. Benilde improved to 2-4, finally tasting a victory in the hard court after its first win came out of a technicality after Perpetual wore the wrong uniform in their season opener.

Christian Bunag led the way for Mapua (1-5) with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, while Estrella and JP Nieles both had 12.

The Scores:

ST. BENILDE 74 – Domingo 24, Leutcheu 14, Young 13, Dixon 10, Sta. Maria 6, San Juan 4, Naboa 3, Castor 0, Suarez 0, Pili 0, Bunyi 0.

MAPUA 69 – Bunag 13, Estrella 12, Nieles 12, Magboo 12, Raflores 7, Gabo 4, Victoria 4, Orquina 3, Aguirre 2.

Quarters: 13-12, 31-38, 52-61, 74-69.