by Kevin Estrada

MANILA – De La Salle-College of St. Benilde got its much-awaited payback on Mapúa when they notched a 75-65 decision as the NCAA returned to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Tuesday afternoon.

In front of a solid support from their campus that is a walking distance away from the fabled arena, the Blazers jumped on the gun as it grounded the Cardinals for a wire-to-wire win, ending a long wait for revenge from last season’s title series.

Senior guard Winston Ynot led all scorers with 25 points, 14 of it came in the opening canto, where Benilde opened the game with 18 unanswered points and never looked back from there.

“Masaya, kasi first time ko kasi dito,” an elated Ynot said after his breakout performance at the hallowed halls of the coliseum. “Madaming nanood sa sa amin, sinusukli naming yung suporta nila.”

Reigning MVP Allen Liwag added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, and added two blocks in a defensive flex.

CSB head coach Charles Tiu was more than pleased to play in Rizal, in which gave them a home advantage in many ways.

“I love to play more games here, kasi malapit sa school,” he said of its proximity to Benilde’s campus, adding the fact that it was the site of their lone NCAA title conquest 25 years ago.

“Maybe we invite some of the former Blazers to visit the team once in a while.”

Mapúa, who fell to 4-5 yet remained second in Group A, were led by Marc Cyrus Cuenco’s 14 and could only come to within three (61-64) in the payoff period.

The scores:

ST. BENILDE 75 – Ynot 25, Liwag 12, Cajucom 8, Sanchez 6, Moore 6, Morales 4, Eusebio 4, Torres 3, Umali 3, Celis 2, Cometa 2, Oli 0, Ancheta 0

MAPÚA 65 – Cuenco 14, Sapasap 13, Escamis 11, Concepcion 9, Gonzales 8, Nitura 7, Reyes 4, Igliane 0, Gulapa 0, Recto 0, Ryan 0, Lazarte 0, Callangan 0

Quarter scores: 30-19, 48-36, 64-58, 75-65

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