After beating the San Beda Red Lions, 62-61, the Benilde Blazers are making a historic comeback to the NCAA Finals.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde booked their ticket to the NCAA Finals after their win today against San Beda University. This is the Benilde Blazers’ first finals appearance in the NCAA in 20 years.
It was a close match today against San Beda. Benilde was definitely hungry to return to the championship stage, as they opened the first half with a 12-point lead. However, San Beda put up a fight to bring the lead down to just three points by halftime.
With 10 seconds left in the game, Benilde held a slim three-point lead. The Red Lions tried to hold onto their campaign with a last-second bucket, but with half a second left on the clock, the Blazers escaped with a 62-61 win.
Migs Oczon led Benilde’s effort scoring a game-high 17 points. In addition, he also held an 8-for-8 record from the free throw line.
This marks Benilde’s third win over San Beda in Season 98. But more impressively, the Blazers will be heading to the NCAA Finals for the first time in two decades.
The last time De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde competed in the finals was in 2002 against San Sebastian College-Recoletos. The Blazers ultimately failed to take the championship and finished the tournament as the runners-up.
This year, their run continues and they will definitely be hoping to take their momentum with them all the way to the title.