Blazers tame Lions in NCAA opening stunner

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde exploited defending champion San Beda’s scarcity of veterans and hacked out a 77-68 victory yesterday as it bared its championship ambition in NCAA Season 102 at the SM MOA Arena.

Jhommel Ancheta erupted for 19 points, including some crucial ones in the fourth quarter, while Matthew Jucom played judge, jury and executioner with 18  as the Blazers claimed their first win of the season while sending the reigning titlists on their knees.

It was a solid debut for new CSB coach Paolo Layug, who succeeded Charles Tiu, who is now with Phoenix in the PBA.

“He’s our veteran guy, our lead guard and we expect it from him,” said Layug, referring to Ancheta.

While CSB has experienced players, the Lions missed theirs as they practically played minus all their starters from last year’s successful campaign – three went to the PBA, another one transferred to the other league and the last one suffered an ACL injury.

A decisive 13-4 run capped by Raffy Celis’ two-handed jam before the final buzzer sounded shattered a deadlock at 64 and sealed it for CSB, which was hoping to end a 26-title drought.

Earlier, MediaQuest Holdings chair Manny V. Pangilinan and Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio opened the season and urged the grand old league to produce more outstanding athletes.

“For more than a century, the NCAA has been part of storied Philippine sports,” said Pangilinan, whose Cignal TV, One Sports and RPTV are airing the league’s games. “Today (yesterday), we convened as one NCAA. That is why this season’s theme is so appropriate.”

The man popularly known as MVP also emphasized the importance of Season 102’s theme “Strive. Believe. Unite.”

“May these three words guide all of us. Strive, because excellence must be earned. Believe, because nothing worthwhile will be without faith and unity, because while competition brings us together on opposite sides of the court, our shared love of the sport makes us one,” he said.

Gregorio praised the league for having Olympic events like golf, boxing and gymnastics, among others, in the league’s calendar.

An energized Letran likewise got off to a strong start after it outlasted Perpetual Help, 84-77.