NCAA: Ynot returns as Benilde escapes EAC, inches closer to Final 4 berth

Benilde Blazers guard Tony Ynot. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.

MANILA — Tony Ynot made a victorious return to College of St. Benilde by stepping up when it mattered the most.

After sitting out their last three games due to an ankle injury, Ynot paced the Blazers to a win over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 69-65, during their NCAA Season 100 men's basketball Round 2 clash on Sunday at the San Juan Arena.

Ynot sank crucial makes in the clutch and finished with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Allen Liwag led the Taft-based cagers with 15 markers together with nine boards, two dimes, and a steal.

Only leading by a possession, 65-62, as Liwag made an and-one to break the deadlock with over two minutes left in the contest, Ynot finished with a lay-in to push the Blazers' cushion to five, 67-72, with 1:36 on the clock.

Gil Quinal, however, refused to give in just yet and answered with a trey quickly after to get within two once again, 67-65.

Ynot was then fouled when they got the ball, splitting his charities for a 68-65 lead, with only 17 seconds left.

Despite this, it was all the Blazers needed to escape with the win as Quinal turned the ball over off their inbound after a timeout. Gab Cometa then went 1-of-2 at the 4.5-meter stripe to increase their lead to four, 69-65, after he was fouled when the Generals looked to extend the game.

Harvey Pagsanjan finished with a game-high 16 points on top of six rebounds, while Quinal and King Gurtiza contributed 12 and 10 for the Generals, respectively. 

Following this win, Benilde is now assured of at least a playoff for a spot in the Final Four. A win in their next assignment against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA will secure their spot in the semifinals.

On the other hand, this defeat was crucial as it put them to seven losses, the same with Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Lyceum of the Philippines University. However, Letran is at fourth with an 8-7 record, while EAC and LPU are tied at No.5 with a 7-7 record. 

THE SCORES: 

Benilde 69 – Liwag 15, Ynot 14, Torres 9, Cometa 7, Eusebio 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 4, Sanchez 3, Oli 3, Cajucom 3, Morales 0, Ancheta 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0

EAC 65 – Pagsanjan 16, Quinal 12, Gurtiza 10, Lucero 5, Doromal 5, Loristo 4, Bacud 4, Ochavo 3, Oftana 3, Bagay 3, Angeles 0, Luciano 0, Ednilag 0, Umpad 0

Quarterscores: 13-20, 34-34, 49-44, 69-65