Blazers do fine sans Liwag, stun Lions

MANILA, Philippines -- No Allen Liwag, no problem. 

Playing without the back-to-back NCAA Most Valuable Player Liwag, the Benilde Blazers upset defending NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions, 77-68, in the Season 102 opener Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Jhomel Ancheta shone bright for Benilde with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Matthew Jucom had 18 markers and six boards. 

The ballgame was tight late, with Zedjay Etulle tying things up at 64-all with 4:11 to go. 

Big shots by Ancheta and Jucom kept their opponents at bay, but the Red Lions kept in step with them, 66-68. 

A pair of free throws by Raffy Celis made it a two-possession game, 70-66, before Ancheta swooped down the lane and connected on a layup, 72-66, with 31.9 seconds to go. 

RC Calimag kept the Red Lions within striking distance, 68-72, but five straight points by the Blazers with 25.2 seconds to go iced the game. 

Irele Galas had 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for Benilde, while Celis had 11 points. 

Aldous Torculas paced San Beda with 19 points and seven rebounds in his NCAA debut. Calimag added nine markers.