Knights stun Lions in OT; Blazers record 1st win

Letran scored a spectacular come-from-behind win to regain a share of the lead while St. Benilde had its break-out game and break-through victory on a rainy Wednesday in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

The Knights, behind a pressing defense in the fourth quarter, overcame an 18-point deficit and whipped a badly-stunned San Beda Red Lions, 79-70, in overtime.

Earlier, the Blazers simply outdid themselves, posting their first win of the season as they humbled Final Four hopeful the Mapua Cardinals, 103-97, in a high-scoring contest.

With heavy rains hammering outside, St. Benilde caught fire and breached the century mark – the first by any team in the league this season.

That performance rewarded the Blazers their first win in 12 games in the tourney.

Guards Luis Abad and Paolo Orbeta combined for 11 triples and a total of 54-point output for the Blazers who handed the Cardinals their sixth defeat also in 12 outings.

"The boys showed tremendous character today. I saw fire in their eyes this time," said St. Benilde coach Tonichi Yturri.

Show tremendous character the Knights did as well as they hacked out the amazing come-from-behind win to regain a piece of the lead with the Perpetual Help Altas and the Philippine Christian Dolphins at 8-4.

Letran moved to a tie of first place with PCU and Perpetual, to step a foot closer to a final four stint, while San Beda suffered its sixth loss against the same number of wins, and tied Mapua at fifth.

Rookie center Mark Andaya dished out his worthiest showing thus far in the season, sparking the Knights’ turnaround from a struggling game in the first three quarters of play. — Nathan Lee