COLLEGE of St. Benilde relied on the returning Allen Liwag to push the Blazers past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 87-82, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Friday.

The Blazers end the elimination round with a twice-to-beat advantage, a 9-4 record and a three game win streak in Group B action.

“Now, it’s back to zero. The real challenge comes,” coach Charles Tiu said.

“In this format, like they said, anyone has a chance and I think that’s what we’ll get.”

Liwag, who returned from a shoulder injury, showed his MVP form with a team-high 16 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

Helping the reigning MVP of the NCAA in the Benilde win were Matthew Oli and Jio Gonzaga, who finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

EAC remained at the very bottom of Group B, ending its elimination round with a 4-9 card.

Jude Bagay and Aldeo Lucero, though, went down swinging for the Generals with 25 and 20 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

As it stands, Benilde is set for a Season 100 Finals rematch in the quarterfinals against Group A’s third seed Mapua, which locked its placing in the standings with a 62-58 loss to Arellano earlier in the day.

The scores:

CSB (87) – Liwag 16, Oli 14, Gonzaga 12, Moore 9, Eusebio 9, Daja 6, Galas 5, Morales 5, Gaspay 4, Celis 3, Jalalon 2, Cometa 2, Ancheta 0, Cajucom 0

EAC (82)  – Bagay 25, Lucero 20, Castillo 10, Quinal 7, Omandac 6, Angeles 5, Ochavo 3, Tolentino 2, Bacud 2, DOminguez 2, Postanes 0, Loristo 0, Shanoda 0, Devara 0, Jacob 0

Quarter scores: 17-23, 37-47, 65-67, 87-82