Benilde, Perpetual trump foes

College of St. Benilde guard Jhomel Ancheta celebrates after hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter against San Beda in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO

St. Benilde has now picked off the two finalists of last season’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

That should be enough to install the team as a heavy favorite in Season 100.

The Blazers squeaked past defending champion San Beda, 70-65, on Tuesday, making it back-to-back victories for the Taft-based squad in the league’s Centennial season.

St. Benilde opened its bid here with a 78-65 over last season’s runner-up Mapua.

Allen Liwag continued his dominance as a Blazer with another double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds while Tony Ynot turned in another all-around game of 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in the victory.

However, it was Jhomel Ancheta who top scored for Benilde with 14 points on a 41.7 percent field goal shooting clip, sinking five of his 12 shots for the game.

Bryan Sajonia starred anew for the Red Lions with 19 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Perpetual Help gave new coach Olsen Racela his first victory with an 82-66 rout of Jose Rizal. INQ