Published October 4, 2025 4:50pm
Updated October 4, 2025 4:50pm
NCAA Season 101. October 4, 2025. Justine Sanchez of the Benilde Blazers. (Photo: Thomas Villanueva)
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde sported new buzz cuts and rediscovered its winning form, pulling off a 74-63 win over a promising Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 101 on Saturday.
The Blazers, who lost their opening-day match against San Beda University, unleashed a huge second half to barge in the Group B win column with a 1-1 card behind veterans Justine Sanchez and Allen Liwag.
Sanchez picked up where he left off, dropping 16 points today together with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to follow up his 24-point outing last game. Liwag churned out 14 markers, seven boards, three dimes, three blocks, and one steal.
The Generals, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 0-1 start.
The Blazers were clicking right from the get-go after racing to a 22-12 lead in the first quarter before ending the first half enjoying a slim 37-32 cushion.
The last year’s runners-up, though, leaned on transferee Raffy Celis and Liwag during their third-quarter surge, which saw the Taft crew building a 48-38 lead before Sanchez buried a three-pointer that sent them to a 55-46 advantage.
Team captain Gab Cometa then found his shooting rhythm, draining a triple and back-to-back jumpers that allowed Benilde to take a comfortable 72-53 lead halfway through the fourth.
EAC made some desperate runs behind Jude Bagay and sophomore Rico Postanes, but Benilde held on to secure its maiden win this season.
Scores:
Benilde 74 – Sanchez 16, Liwag 14, Cometa 9, Torres 7, Umali 6, Moore 6, Celis 5, Ancheta 4, Gaspay 2, Morales 2, Cajucom 2, Eusebio 1, Oli 0, Daja 0, Galas 0.
EAC 63 – Bagay 15, Oftana 10, Castillo 8, Angeles 8, Loristo 6, Ochavo 4, Postanes 4, Shanoda 3, Villarente 3, Lucero 2, Tolentino 0, Dominguez 0, Omandac 0, Quinal 0, Bacud 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
