Blazers stop Cardinals' winning ways

Games today:

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)

3 p.m. – JRU vs Lyceum

5 p.m. – San Sebastian vs EAC

College of Saint Benilde snapped Mapua University’s six-game winning streak, 71-69, as it also ended its two-game slump in Season 102 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Ian Torres led the Blazers with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds as they improved to 7-3 in Group A.

For head coach Paolo Layug, they will take the victory any day whether it was a blowout or down to the final shot.

“We were lucky and fortunate to take the win today. We’ll take it,” Layug said.

With Saint Benilde leading 70-66 in the fourth quarter, Cyrus Cuenco drew a foul trying to knock down a triple and drained all three of his free throws to cut the deficit to one, 69-70, with 18 seconds left.

Jhommel Ancheta split his free throws on the other end, leaving the Cardinals with a chance to steal the game.