Benilde Drags San Beda to Game 3; Letran Knights Book Early Ticket to Season 101 Finals

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NCAA Season 101. Letran Knights vs Perpetual Altas,

Semifinals, December 5, 2025. Photo: Lemuel Medina Seijo

Benilde Blazers pushed to extend the semis to a do-or-die Game 3 after defeating the San Beda Red Lions in their semifinal rematch. With San Beda’s Janti Miller sitting out, last season’s second-seed Benilde took the opportunity to outwork the top-dog San Beda, closing out the game with a buzzer-beating 2-point shot, 77–75, yesterday, December 5, at the MOA Arena.

After their Game 1 setback, Blazers opened Game 2 on fire with a 9–1 run in the first quarter, courtesy of Allen Liwag’s back-to-back baskets. Although Benilde led the early momentum, San Beda managed to chip away and tie the game at 19–19 in the final two minutes of the quarter, thanks to Jomel Puno’s timely response. In the second quarter, the Red Lions roared ahead as Blazers struggled with shaky passes, allowing their opponent to convert turnovers and steals into points, taking a 42–36 lead at half time.

Following the third quarter, the Benilde found their rhythm and matched San Beda’s pace, eventually closing the third up 60–58 lead heading into the fourth. Early in the final period, however, Liwag exited after a leg sprain, leaving Benilde without one of its key players. Stepping up in his absence, Ian Torres rose to the moment, posted three of six three-pointers and turned the showdown into a nail-biting exchange of buckets, shot for shot at 75–75. Benilde halted San Beda’s easy ticket to finals bid and stole Game 2 with Torres’ dagger, a match-winning layup at the buzzer.

Blazers led the scoreboard with Winston Ynot’s 19 points and 5 assists, Allen Liwag added 15 boards, and following hero Ian Torres’ 17 points. During the postgame press conference, Benilde’s head coach Charles Tiu emphasized how tough the game was against San Beda but praised his team for stepping up big time. To Liwag, following the forward’s recent inclusion for Sea Games final roster, it boosted his confidence and energy to perform relentlessly in the crucial semis match against San Beda.

Later that day, the Letran Knights ended Perpetual Altas’ finals hopes after dismantling them with a dominant two straight wins. Titing Manalili proved himself as one of the league’s top point guards, racking up 16 points, 4 rebounds, and an impressive 14 assists. With the win, Letran became the first team to secure a spot in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Finals.