Overtime Drama Defines Blazers’ Hard-Fought Victory
Justine Sanchez delivered the decisive shot as Benilde rallied past Perpetual Help, 81-79, in overtime during NCAA Season 102. The Blazers erased an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit before surviving a tense finish at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Benilde Survives Perpetual in Overtime
One Sports covered Benilde’s comeback victory after Perpetual repeatedly threatened to hand the Blazers their second defeat this season. The Blazers trailed by eight during the fourth quarter before forcing overtime and completing another difficult early-season victory.
Benilde improved to 4-1 and strengthened its position atop Group A after securing its second consecutive NCAA victory. Perpetual slipped to 2-3 in Group B after surrendering advantages during both regulation and the five-minute overtime period.
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Eight-Point Deficit Tests Blazers
Perpetual carried a 62-58 advantage into the fourth quarter before stretching its lead to eight points early. Benilde answered through timely perimeter shooting and defensive stops, gradually reducing the deficit before creating another opportunity to escape.
Sanchez Delivers Career-High Performance for Benilde
Sanchez finished with a career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while producing his strongest NCAA scoring performance. He converted seven of eight three-point attempts, including the go-ahead overtime triple that ultimately decided the two-point contest.
The senior also helped Benilde recover emotionally after recognizing that the Blazers had opened the matchup without sufficient urgency. Sanchez said the team’s experienced players challenged themselves to respond instead of allowing Perpetual to dictate the entire game.
“Kanina parang bad start kami at nagusap usap kami, lalu na kaming mga seniors, na kailangan namin ma-comeback ‘yon,” he said.
“Kailangan mas gustuhin natin kaysa sa kanila.”
Senior Backs Leadership With Late Execution
Sanchez supported his leadership message with production, delivering Benilde’s most important basket when another comeback became necessary in overtime. His career-best performance combined sustained perimeter efficiency with the late execution required after Perpetual repeatedly regained control.
Ancheta Helps Benilde Force Overtime
Benilde trailed 66-58 early in the fourth before four three-pointers helped the Blazers close the gap against Perpetual. Jhommel Ancheta buried three of those triples, helping Benilde pull within 71-70 with 3:23 remaining in regulation.
Mowell Morales later tied the game at 72-all before LA Casinillo restored Perpetual’s advantage with 5.1 seconds remaining. Ancheta then converted two of three pressure free throws, tying the contest at 74-all and forcing the extra period.
Benilde Guard Adds 17 Points and Eight Assists
Ancheta finished with 17 points and eight assists, providing Benilde with another dependable creator alongside Sanchez throughout the comeback. His fourth-quarter shooting and tying free throws became especially important when Perpetual appeared positioned to close the contest.
Sanchez Three-Pointer Decides Overtime Finish
Mark Gojo Cruz opened overtime scoring before keeping Perpetual ahead, 79-78, with another basket during the extra period. Sanchez answered by knocking down his seventh three-pointer, moving Benilde ahead 81-79 with slightly over two minutes remaining.
Neither team scored afterward, leaving Sanchez’s triple as the final basket of Benilde’s dramatic comeback victory over Perpetual. Benilde’s defense completed the escape by preventing Casinillo from converting a potential tying opportunity with 6.3 seconds remaining.
Perpetual Cannot Answer Benilde’s Final Basket
Gojo Cruz led Perpetual with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists during another competitive performance for the Altas. Casinillo contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Kenji Duremdes added 11 points during the narrow overtime defeat.
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Benilde Improves to 4-1 Despite Injury Problems
Benilde reached 4-1 despite playing without several rotation pieces as injuries continued testing the Blazers’ available depth. Raffy Celis, Matt Jucom, and Irele Galas remained sidelined, while Allen Liwag had yet to appear this season.
The depleted Blazers still received timely contributions beyond Sanchez, reinforcing their ability to survive difficult situations with different available combinations. Benilde next faces San Sebastian, carrying consecutive victories and another pressure-tested performance into its next NCAA Season 102 assignment.
Blazers Build Early Group A Advantage
Winning four of five games gives Benilde valuable early positioning while injuries continue affecting Paolo Layug’s available rotation. The Perpetual comeback also provided meaningful late-game experience without forcing the Blazers to absorb another early-season defeat.
Analytical Breakdown: Strong Finishes Need Strong Starts
Benilde’s comeback showed valuable composure, with defensive stops creating the possessions needed to erase Perpetual’s eight-point advantage. Sanchez provided decisive shot-making, while Ancheta’s pressure free throws proved Benilde possesses multiple players capable of handling critical possessions. Sustaining this strong start requires cleaner openings because repeatedly chasing late deficits will eventually punish even dependable closing execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Benilde versus Perpetual final score?
Benilde defeated Perpetual Help, 81-79, in overtime during their NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball crossover matchup.
Who led Benilde against Perpetual?
Justine Sanchez led Benilde with a career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and seven three-pointers.
How did Benilde force overtime?
Jhommel Ancheta converted two late free throws to tie the game at 74-all and force overtime against Perpetual.
What is Benilde’s NCAA Season 102 record?
Benilde improved to 4-1 and remained atop Group A after securing its second consecutive NCAA Season 102 victory.
How did Perpetual perform in the loss?
Perpetual fell to 2-3 despite leading during regulation and overtime before Sanchez delivered Benilde’s decisive three-pointer.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from SPIN.ph.
