THERE’S sure to be a new champion by the end of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.

The College of St. Benilde edged defending champion Mapua, 74-72, at San Juan Arena on Friday, officially ending the Cardinals’ back-to-back title bid, much to the delight of coach Charles Tiu.

“That looked like a game that we almost let slip away. Beating Mapua’s really something,” he said.

“Everybody was counting us out, there were naysayers from within and the fans. Nobody believed in our team so I told them, we have something to prove. The job’s not done.”

The Blazers led the Cardinals by as much as 18 points but the defending champions didn’t go down without a fight.

Benilde held a 62-54 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals unloaded a  9-0 run capped off by a Cyrus Cuenco triple in the 5:51 mark of the fourth to take the 63-62 lead.

The Blazers had the answer, however, as they built an eight-point lead after a 10-1 rally concluded by a Shawn Umali triple to put Benilde up, 72-64, with 2:08 to go.

The biggest moment of the game came when the Cardinals had the chance to send the game to overtime after JC Recto was fouled by Justine Sanchez with 5.5 to go.

With the Blazers up, 74-72, Recto had a chance to send the game to five extra minutes only to miss both freebies which ultimately led to the conclusion of Mapua’s season.

Raffy Celis spearheaded Benilde with 18 points and five rebounds while Ian Torres and Tony Ynot dropped 12 and 11 points, respectively in the win.

Recto finished with 18 markers and five boards in what turned out to be the Cardinals’ final game of the season. Graduating guard and former Finals MVP Clint Escamis didn’t have the best swan song as he tallied three points and five boards before getting ejected in the third quarter due to a disqualifying foul.

Up next for the Blazers are the San Beda Red Lions in a best-of-three semifinals starting Tuesday.

“They’ve beaten us twice already so I hope this time, kami naman… We have to look forward to San Beda, they’re a great team,” Tiu said.

The scores:

ST. BENILDE (74)  – Celis 18, Torres 12, Ynot 11, Liwag 9, Sanchez 6, Umali 5, Ancheta 5, Gaspay 4, Morales 2, Cajucom 2, Oli 0

MAPÚA (72)  – Recto 18, Cuenco 17, Gonzales 11, Sapasap 7, Nitura 4, Concepcion 4, Delos Reyes 4, Lazarte 4, Escamis 3, Igliane 0, Abdulla 0, Reyes 0

Quarterscores: 24-17, 47-31, 60-53, 74-72