MANILA — Shawn Umali made his former team pay. The transferee from Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) delivered a clutch all-around performance as the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers clawed back from 16 points down to stun the Pirates, 70-67, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Umali, who once donned the LPU colors, stood tall against his old squad — scoring critical baskets and anchoring the defense in the closing minutes to seal CSB’s come-from-behind victory. He finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, while reigning MVP Allen Liwag powered the Blazers with 16 points and eight boards as they improved to 5-3 midway through the eliminations.
“It’s actually disappointing in the first half. I have no idea what we were doing defensively and it’s like we were just letting them shoot all they want,” said head coach Charles Tiu, who admitted frustration before his team found its rhythm in the second half.
For Lyceum, Renz Villegas led the way with 14 points, followed by Omar Gordon with 11, while Joshua Moralejo and Jonathan Daileg added 10 apiece. The Pirates’ collapse dropped them to an even slate as they failed to contain CSB’s late-game surge.
In another game, Mapua University regained its footing after two straight losses, outlasting Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 85-78.
Clint Escamis spearheaded the Cardinals’ balanced attack with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Cyril Gonzales added 14, Yam Concepcion 13, and JC Recto and Earl Sapasap chipped in 11 and 10, respectively.
The Cardinals controlled most of the second half, leading 69-63 after three quarters and extending the gap to double digits before EAC mounted a brief rally. Concepcion’s clutch jumper and two free throws from Escamis in the final seconds, however, iced the win as Mapua improved to 4-4.
For the Generals, Brianne Angeles had 13 points, Jude Bagay 12, Aldeo Lucero 11, and EJ Castillo 10, but their late effort fell short as they slid to 4-5./PN
